Thesaurus results for MYSTERY

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mystery

noun

ˈmi-st(ə-)rē

Definition of mystery

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

Relevance

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 Kafka always reminds me that literature is not the place for seeking literal knowledge, but a sanctuary and an endless reservoir of mystery and wonder. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Two major mysteries in science, the nature of dark matter and the possible existence of higher dimensions, could be linked, new research suggests. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2026 Cool Machine is definitive not only for its sweep but also for the rightness, the evocative precision, of the details that fill its paragraphs like the mystery mix inside the skin of a Gray’s Papaya hot dog. — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 But there’s an unsolved mushroom mystery at the heart of this food marketing tale that might prove surprising even to fans of fungi. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mystery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystery

Noun

In the first knockout stage match in the venue, Haaland’s winner in the 86th minute over Ivory Coast offered a lens into Norway’s rich fan tradition, and the enigma that is Haaland himself.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Physicists refer to this process as collapse, but scientists have not yet solved the fundamental enigma that drives this phenomenon.

— Aldo Romero, The Conversation, 15 July 2026

Definition of enigma

Noun

Charlotte needs someone to step up in the backup point-guard role behind Coby White and is attempting to see where James fits into that puzzle.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
His solution was to adapt the sliding block puzzle game Rush Hour, in which players move toy cars and trucks around to create a path for one main car to exit the puzzle.

— Peter Jurich, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Definition of puzzle

Noun

Trying to solve that riddle is the goal of a telemetry study that is fitting walleye with transmitters in hopes of tracking their movements in the lake.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
Solve the never-ending riddle at that position ahead of the 2027 survey, and the perspective on the team's direction could shoot back up to 2025 levels.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of riddle

Noun

After taking on her sexy side hustle, her secret was exposed, resulting in her being fired from her teaching job.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Sanghee, who has a day job importing snacks and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with the family as old secrets, unsolicited advice and hollow flattery come to the surface.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026

Definition of secret

Noun

Sixty-eight percent of likely voters told PPIC the cost of energy — both in utility bills and the price of gasoline at the pump — were a big problem.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
The problem is that this group is mostly comprised of uncultured idiots, so Shai and Georgia are the only people who know what Rocky Horror is.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 July 2026

Definition of problem

Browse Nearby Words

mysteriousness

mystery

mystic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mystery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystery. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of mystery

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on mystery

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

raffish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes