Synonyms of mystery

mystery

noun

ˈmi-st(ə-)rē 

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

• enigma
• puzzle
• riddle
• secret
• problem
• conundrum
• matter
• challenge
• why
• mystification
• puzzlement
• closed book
• head-scratcher
• perplexity
• case
• trouble
• poser
• brainteaser
• stumper
• knot

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

Recent Examples of mystery

The latest addition to the Sky Railway lineup is The Stargazer, a cosmic trip that leads travelers below New Mexico’s notoriously dark skies and leans into the landscape’s extraterrestrial mystery. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026

In keeping with The Traitors’ Clue-like aesthetic, casting specifically sought out applicants with jobs that slotted them into murder-mystery archetypes. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Harry tries to solve a murder of which he’s been accused, but the mystery comes across as an afterthought. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2026

While the 33-inch-long model will soon be on public display, its whereabouts remained a mystery for 45 years—until sharp-eyed Star Trek aficionados flagged an intriguing eBay auction listing in 2023. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026