mysterious

adjective

mi-ˈstir-ē-əs How to pronounce mysterious (audio)
Definition of mysteriousnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Benoist plays Valerie Simpson, a former tennis star launching a comeback five years after a tragic, mysterious breakdown on center court. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 23 July 2026 Still, more pressing concerns both on the mysterious M-Class planet and about the Enterprise overwhelm these interpersonal issues for most of the episode. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 July 2026 That’s what makes Goodman’s season so mysterious, and potentially so significant as the deadline approaches. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Recently granted permission to test the mysterious statue, held in Abruzzo’s National Archaeology Museum in Chieti, central Italy, may have the answers, reports the Times of London. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mysterious
  1. cryptic
  2. ambiguous
  3. enigmatic
  4. dark
  5. mystic
  6. obscure
  7. uncanny
  8. deep
Adjective
  • At first, these data would be cryptic—who besides the biggest air-pollution nerd would know the difference between 35 μg/m3 of particulate matter (yellow-level risk, per the AQI) and 60 μg/m3 (red-level risk)?
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • As Miami gained steam in the LeBron market behind Pat Riley’s cryptic public optimism, the Heat and Cavaliers continually flip-flopped as the DraftKings favorite to land LeBron during the week leading up to James’ eventual decision.
    — Scott Phillips, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, who qualifies for the Robinhood Platinum Card is a little ambiguous.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 July 2026
  • Many leaders in the late 18th century already considered privateering a morally ambiguous practice, according to Michael Crawford, a former senior historian at the Naval History and Heritage Command.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • One of Scotland’s can’t-miss distilleries is also one of its most enigmatic.
    — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • In the first season finale, Kim makes a deal with Lee Dong-kyu, a new and enigmatic character who agrees to take down Juhak Construction for our protagonist.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • Protesters covered events in real time, filming Instagram reels, sharing videos and memes – often laced with dark humor and jibes at Modi – and posting updates from the protest site.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • The path of totality — the moon’s dark shadow — will cross eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, from where the sun’s corona will become visible, if skies are clear, for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • Unlike in Cutud, participants are mostly female faith healers adhering not to vows but to mystic trances and possession.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
  • Whether Spatial surrounds its reggae-toasting host with piles of drums, disorienting electronic beats, or locomotive rock music, Scratch abides as crooner, barker, mystic, meditation coach — whatever the moment requires.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026
Definition of mystic
Adjective
  • Perhaps that’s what led to one Manchester United fan to start what must be one of the most obscure player songs in the club’s terrace songbook.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The article warns that such high valuations, lacking public financial transparency, obscure true value.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Those digital Mellotrons balanced against Wilson’s dry 2000s alt-rock production cast Åkerfeldt’s ballads into a searching, uncanny drift at the outskirts of the metal landscape.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
  • In World Cup lore, however, his gallantry is doomed to be overshadowed by that of his fellow-goalkeeper from Cabo Verde, Vozinha, who had already produced an uncanny impersonation of a brick wall on the fourth day of the tournament.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of uncanny
Adjective
  • Both areas have deep sediment soil that sit atop alluvial valleys.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Even a deep black pencil can feel softer and more natural because the pigment doesn’t sit as sharply on top of the skin.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
Definition of deep

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mysteries
mysterious
mysteriousness
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Cite this Entry

“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mysterious for Spanish Speakers

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