1
as in cryptic
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the huge stone statues on Easter Island are ancient, mysterious, and haunting
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2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the stranger's mysterious prediction
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mysterious
The film unfolds across two timelines, 2009 and 2025, centering on a chronically online college dropout and an underage OnlyFans streamer who are contacted by the same mysterious stalker.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Two sisters investigate the mysterious death of their mother, while their younger brother — gifted with an uncanny ability to heal — becomes a target for whatever’s lurking in the factory’s bowels.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
The film, which is in the Panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival, follows a Shanghai woman who journeys alone to a rubber plantation in southwest China, searching for a mysterious woman while strangers drift unexpectedly into her path.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
These same individuals are instrumental in assisting Nell in explaining her mother’s behavior and a mysterious birth certificate for Evie found in a copy of Jane Eyre in their mother’s bookcase.
—The Know, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Two sisters investigate the mysterious death of their mother, while their younger brother — gifted with an uncanny ability to heal — becomes a target for whatever’s lurking in the factory’s bowels.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
The film, which is in the Panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival, follows a Shanghai woman who journeys alone to a rubber plantation in southwest China, searching for a mysterious woman while strangers drift unexpectedly into her path.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
These same individuals are instrumental in assisting Nell in explaining her mother’s behavior and a mysterious birth certificate for Evie found in a copy of Jane Eyre in their mother’s bookcase.
—The Know, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mysterious
Adjective
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Then over the past weekend, the family posted another video — one that was more cryptic and generated even more speculation about Nancy Guthrie’s fate.—
Hallie Golden,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Then over the past weekend, the family posted another video — one that was more cryptic and generated even more speculation about Nancy Guthrie’s fate.—
TY ONEIL,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There is, at present, some evidence for dark energy weakening over time, although the results from the DESI collaboration, which provide the strongest evidence to date for such a scenario, are highly ambiguous.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
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But the film’s tone and ending feel more ambiguous, perhaps bittersweet.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a fair share of dancefloor warriors—techno devotees, avante-garde fashionistas, curious international travelers, and the enigmatic regulars.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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And then, as happens so often with this most enigmatic of bands, the pendulum swung back.—
Ben Cardew,
Pitchfork,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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At the center of the space will be a central bar wrapped in wood paneling and leather accents, topped with dark stone, according to the release.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
February 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The shoes accompanied a silky black midi skirt, a simple gray sweater, a thick dark turquoise belt and a long furry gray coat worn off her shoulders.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The language has mystic overtones and rhythmic sections; it might be better felt than understood.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Dera was founded in 1948 by the mystic Mastana Balochistani in the Haryana city of Sirsa, near the northern state’s borders with Punjab, India’s breadbasket, and the desert state of Rajasthan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As Ecklund later learned, the sign was a reference to a once-obscure federal statute, 18 US Code 111, that has become a key tool used by immigration agents to detain American citizens.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Some deserving names, though, are still obscure, and that is why an exhibition at Poster House, on West Twenty-third Street, running until April 12th, is to be welcomed with gusto.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But wow, the resemblance is uncanny!—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
16 Feb. 2026
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Aivwis Angry Mama Microwave Oven Steam Cleaner Microwaves have an uncanny way of getting gross quickly, and cleaning can be a real drag.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Gas fireplaces turn on with a flip of a switch and deep Italian marble tubs are easily large enough for two.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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