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 Understanding Mercury’s shrink rate can shed light on how the planet has evolved and reveal secrets about its mysterious interior. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 There’s a mysterious sickness going around, apparently caused by a toxic fog that invisibly burns the skin of whoever comes into contact with it. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 What are these mysterious words, on-premise, what does this actually mean and why is this important? — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Visa, known as Lola to her colleagues, died at the age of 32 in mysterious circumstances last month after going missing on a trip to Llandudno, a coastal town in north Wales. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 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

She’s played with a darkly enigmatic, unnerving quality by James in her finest work to date — a knowing, even domineering smile often curling around her lips.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Jil Sander‘s creative director Simone Bellotti has delivered one of the more enigmatic campaigns for fall — shot outdoors like so many this season, but also referring to interiors, a theme that ran through his fall collection.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

Adjective

As Florian Wirtz was substituted during Liverpool’s 2-2 opening day draw at Newcastle United, the German midfielder sat on the bench, retrieved a bottle of dark red liquid, and began to drink.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In this version, the couple has moved from Chicago to London for a fresh start—bad things happened in Chicago—and the set features a wide town house with dark corners and William Morris wallpaper.

— Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 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
Could something uncanny have occurred during the press screening for Don’t Look Back in Anger that had everyone getting misty?

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 7 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

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mysterious

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“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mysterious

adjective

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