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
Critics, and increasingly larger audiences each year, have praised the show’s uniquely smoky mixture of atmosphere, character, humor and action, revolving around a crack investigator for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with intriguing personal quirks and a mysterious past.
—
Bob Verini, Variety, 4 June 2025
This latest slew of discoveries, announced by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) last month, represents a triumph for the study of the mysterious ancient civilization.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Bob Verini, Variety, 4 June 2025
This latest slew of discoveries, announced by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) last month, represents a triumph for the study of the mysterious ancient civilization.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mysterious
Adjective
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This Instagram comment comes amid a series of cryptic social media posts shared by Bieber and growing concerns for him.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
12 June 2025
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Gad teased work on the project in 2024 with a cryptic Instagram post that blocked out certain sections on the script’s cover page.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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The inconsistency of the geographical settings goes hand in hand with the how their American protagonists are depicted as inept operators whose heroism is ambiguous Soon after his arrival in Saigon, Andrews mistakes an advertisement for a dubious massage parlor as a clue from a local contact.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
18 June 2025
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That’s negativity bias in action—the cognitive reflex to prioritize potential threats over neutral or positive cues, especially when the situation is ambiguous.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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This deeply personal documentary dives into the legacy of Counting Crows and their enigmatic lead singer Adam Duritz, not as a nostalgia play, but as a raw and revealing look at identity, artistry, and the fine line between performance and reality.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 June 2025
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Her enigmatic portraiture graces the collections of billionaire businessman François Pinault and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Named for the distinctive dark stripes running across the back of its head, this medium-sized goose is specially adapted for one of the most extreme migrations in the animal kingdom.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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White, pale blue, gray, and green swimsuits can be some of the hardest swimsuits to spot in a pool, while darker colors, like navy and black, can be difficult to detect in open water.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This book contains the first English translation of the writings of af Klint, a Swedish painter and mystic.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
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The author also varies the texture of the book by inserting poems, quotations, dramatic dialogue, a veiled account of her unhappy days at boarding school, and a lengthy digression on the German mystic Friederike Hauffe, who claimed to be clairvoyant and to communicate with spirits.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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This obscure law vested NOAA with the authority to issue permits for mining beyond American jurisdiction until an international regime was put in place.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
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That Davis exhibited but ultimately painted over the other two works in his geometric series might suggest some dissatisfaction with their admittedly obscure nature.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Wilson demonstrated an uncanny gift for harmonic invention and complex vocal and instrumental arrangements.—
Roy Trakin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
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The human cast do an uncanny job of mimicking their cartoon counterparts, especially Nick Frost as dragon training master Gobber and Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn as twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the three of whom manage to milk fresh laughs from 15-year-old jokes.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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This is a deep, dark, peppery and elegant wine at astonishing value.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
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