MYSTERIOUS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

mysterious

adjective

mi-ˈstir-ē-əs

Definition of mysterious

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ambiguous

having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the stranger's mysterious prediction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mysterious Even in the telescope’s first images, astronomers could see a whole zoo of mysterious smears of light. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 This tight, ticking-clock thriller unfolds almost in real time, with Gal Gadot as a fit lawyer whose son is kidnapped by a mysterious villain (Damian Lewis). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 Continue reading … — 9/11 'last survivor' reveals mysterious encounter after 27 hours buried beneath rubble. — FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026 But something else is going on now, something much more mysterious. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mysterious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mysterious

Adjective

Though the Gallaghers weren’t on hand at the film’s press conference earlier on Saturday to field questions, the band has posted several cryptic teasers on Instagram that have sent fans into detective mode.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Sasha Farber posted a cryptic photo following his absence from DWTS’ season 35 lineup.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of cryptic

Adjective

An enigmatic and alluring university professor (Moss) with a thing for younger men is among the local suspects, who begin to seem connected.

— Jennie Punter, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
The hothouse flowers of the salon—a nod to the city’s art nouveau Palmenhaus—were painstakingly painted by Viennese artist Marie Hartig, while the rooftop mural is by enigmatic graffiti artist KNARF.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

Adjective

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls let a lot of light into the space, which is decorated in tones of gray, with dark wood herring bone floors in the bar.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
In its concluding episodes, the HBO juggernaut thrust an unearned heel turn on its female lead, rendered its climactic battle so dark viewers couldn’t see it, and ended over 70 hours of buildup with a rando on the Iron Throne.

— Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

Such questions, in fact, may not be the right ones to ask about the man variously described as a teacher, philosopher, maverick mystic, and enlightened person.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
The piece, inspired by the 12th-century polymathic mystic Saint Hildegard of Bingen, was skin-tinglingly breathy and slow, with long tones (played by Malone and her accompanist Stephen O’Malley) that rose up and swirled around the room.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of mystic

Adjective

Last month, Vance hurled himself into an obscure debate over burrito prices to make a gratuitous swipe at a conservative Washington Post columnist’s weight.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Beneath the cringe internet overshare was a welcome indication that the vaginal microbiome has finally moved from an obscure area of medical research into mainstream conversation.

— Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of obscure

Adjective

Each one of her novels presents a different setting and dynamic, but her oeuvre is unified by careful thought, sharp style, and an uncanny ability to make the pages want to turn.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
To trace the bloc of states where over 50% of religious congregation members were Baptist or Methodist was to trace the region’s boundaries with uncanny precision.

— John Hayes, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncanny

Adjective

Many athletes are motivated by a deep hatred of losing, more so than a love of winning.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
There’s also a deep respect for craftsmanship—from marble carving, for which the Cyclades are famous, to fishing, farming, and handmade work.

— Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

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mysterious

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“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mysterious

adjective

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