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

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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 In it, a botched secret mission drags Eken Babu into a mystery in Kerala. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 Thornbird is a coming-of-age thriller about a girl at the center of her own true-crime mystery. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 One of the things that has always been part of the show, in addition to football and the soapy love triangles and everything else, is there’s always been some kind of mystery [of paternity] involved in the early seasons. — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 Is someone really trying to place a mystery patient in our care? — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mystery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystery

Noun

PBHs could help resolve other enigmas, too, for instance by acting as seeds for the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
After decades of perspective-shifting literary retellings like Wide Sargasso Sea and The Mists of Avalon and the current trend of feminist Greek myths, Cathy is an enigma begging for some traumatic backstory to staple her flaws together.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of enigma

Noun

This Special puzzle features lyric references, cultural landmarks and even historic events tied to Dylan.

— Atoosa Moinzadeh, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Come early to mingle with the cast, in character, of course, who may or may not need your help in deciphering some puzzles.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of puzzle

Noun

Perhaps the three questions are not riddles to be solved once and closed.

— Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Finding Lahti’s family was the latest step in a half-century long effort to solve the riddle of what led to the veteran’s death from two bullet wounds to the head.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of riddle

Noun

The house holds the dangerous secrets of its inhabitants and is as much a character, so when the project was greenlit, finding the ideal dwelling was key to creating the right mysterious-yet-sexy atmosphere the narrative required.

— Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
The way secrets can either pull people close or push them away is an enticing paradox.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of secret

Noun

Maybe that’s because these challenging and seemingly intractable problems are usually treated as separate crises requiring separate solutions.

— Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
No, the problem is not the lack of a good economic case or even the lack of investment.

— Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of problem

Browse Nearby Words

mysteriousness

mystery

mystic

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“Mystery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystery. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mystery

noun

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