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
Around 2016, a mysterious account appeared on social media.
—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
The narrative unravels a web of dark, intersecting secrets within a residential building, catalyzed by the mysterious disappearance of a young boy on the winter solstice.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 June 2026
The Manhattan Supreme Court suit against Officer Quilbvio Espinal, 35, a 10-year veteran of the force, filled in details of the cop’s mysterious March 26 arrest on misdemeanor menacing charges, which are being tried by District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
The reasons therapists are leaving traditional practice aren’t mysterious.
—Megan Bruneau, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
The narrative unravels a web of dark, intersecting secrets within a residential building, catalyzed by the mysterious disappearance of a young boy on the winter solstice.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 June 2026
The Manhattan Supreme Court suit against Officer Quilbvio Espinal, 35, a 10-year veteran of the force, filled in details of the cop’s mysterious March 26 arrest on misdemeanor menacing charges, which are being tried by District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
The reasons therapists are leaving traditional practice aren’t mysterious.
—Megan Bruneau, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mysterious
Adjective
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Although Suki Waterhouse did confirm that she is set to attend, most of the couple's friends have been very cryptic about the status of their wedding invites.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Coaches and teammates have struggled to remain in contact with him, and AIyuk’s rare social media posts have been both cryptic and lacking clues about his football ambitions.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The entity known as Mother is left ambiguous, as is the tree inside the Cave of Wonders, but there are hints to their true nature.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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If a serious spending-reduction effort were somehow mounted anyway, the result would likely be positive for bonds — but ambiguous for equities, since the economic drag could easily outweigh the benefit of lower interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Laurie joins an ensemble cast including Matthew Macfadyen as legendary spymaster George Smiley, Dan Stevens as the enigmatic Bill Haydon, All Quiet on the Western Front’s Felix Kammerer as Hans-Dieter Mundt and Agnes O’Casey, who reprises her Spy Who Came In From The Cold West End role of Liz Gold.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
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The enigmatic Dr Hill, played again by Peter Stormare will return for the game.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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If the second section presents the diagnosis, then in the footnote to Howl Ginsberg writes a prescription, because if we’re oppressed by a dark faith then the only antidote is a different one.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Villains could hide in the giant banyan tree or lurk in the spookily dark new flotation room; a fight scene might involve someone crashing down the waterfall-wall in the centre of the wellness centre.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
From tasting menus that spotlight a single grain variety to butcher counters featuring specific heritage breeds, professional kitchens are translating obscure agricultural choices into experiences diners remember.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
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What obscure motive lay behind this one?—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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With the Hurricanes, Seminoles and Gators all failing to advance past regionals for the first time since 2022, the Sunshine State's lack of representation in both the super regionals and College World Series will feel uncanny.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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The current wave of new acts — think Fcukers, Underscores, and of course, PinkPantheress — wield the sound with an uncanny magnetism, as if communicating from a post-digital future.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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That’s a pity, because with further refinement, Girl, Interrupted could go deeper.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
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But, of course, the spotlight is on deep discounts and a focus on the marketplace’s Brand+ channel where shoppers can find trusted, global brands (with official product authentication).—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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