as in enigma
something hard to understand or explain why my sister married that guy is still a mystery to my parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mystery differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mystery are enigma, problem, puzzle, and riddle. While all these words mean "something which baffles or perplexes," mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

Where would enigma be a reasonable alternative to mystery?

While the synonyms enigma and mystery are close in meaning, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

When might problem be a better fit than mystery?

The words problem and mystery can be used in similar contexts, but problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

When is puzzle a more appropriate choice than mystery?

The synonyms puzzle and mystery are sometimes interchangeable, but puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

When is it sensible to use riddle instead of mystery?

Although the words riddle and mystery have much in common, riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

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 mystery Sometimes there’s a little bit of mystery over who Swift might be singing about. Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025 The Mercury were a complete mystery heading into the 2025 season. Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Possible Causes of a Toilet Seat Changing Color Many online speculators believe a change in hormones or PH levels is behind the mystery, but experts aren’t so sure. Hannah Silverman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025 However, the energy, which makes up roughly 70 percent of the Universe, largely remains a mystery. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mystery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystery
Noun
  • Biggest enigma — Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts is 27th in passing yardage.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • To voters, Starmer remains an enigma.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The next puzzle will be available at midnight in your time zone.
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Looking for a free mini puzzle?
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With 60 minutes on the clock, participants are challenged to solve clues and riddles in order to make their escape.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • If conversations feel like riddles, don’t let pride get in the way of asking the right questions, Leo.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The idea of Maggie’s untrustworthiness has already been planted in an early scene, mid-party, involving a bathroom cabinet and a hidden envelope conveniently filled with old news clippings concerning dark secrets in Alma’s past.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In the Mogollon Monster room, participants are challenged to discover secrets and snap a photo of the elusive Mogollon Monster before authorities arrive to shut down the camp.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This new therapy offers a promising approach for creating effective clinical treatments by directly targeting the blood vessel problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Noting the billions of dollars that Arkansas spends each year on federal programs to help the poor, including Medicaid, food stamps, child welfare and unemployment assistance, Sanders suggested the problems are often too big for a single program to fix.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mystery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystery. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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