as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
we were mystified by the sudden changes in the tax code
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Recent Examples of mystified
The source of excess gamma-ray radiation, known as the Galactic Center GeV Excess (GCE), has mystified scientists for over a decade.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis allegedly dispensed the substance at West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina, over a nearly monthlong span, leaving school officials mystified as to the origin of the foul odor, the Florence County Sheriff's office said in a statement.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
Swartz was mystified by the package.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
This moth’s extraordinary navigational abilities have mystified scientists for many decades.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Even some of his former team-mates will admit being unsure, mystified even, about what exactly went wrong after an 18-year-old Kaminsky made his first-team debut in a Nottingham Forest side featuring Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham and Nigel Clough.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
That’s left some members of Congress mystified about why their funding is in jeopardy.
—Cassandra Jaramillo, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2025
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis allegedly dispensed the substance at West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina, over a nearly monthlong span, leaving school officials mystified as to the origin of the foul odor, the Florence County Sheriff's office said in a statement.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
Swartz was mystified by the package.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
This moth’s extraordinary navigational abilities have mystified scientists for many decades.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Even some of his former team-mates will admit being unsure, mystified even, about what exactly went wrong after an 18-year-old Kaminsky made his first-team debut in a Nottingham Forest side featuring Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham and Nigel Clough.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
That’s left some members of Congress mystified about why their funding is in jeopardy.
—Cassandra Jaramillo, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystified
Verb
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The statues, which were carved and placed on the South Pacific's Easter Island between the 12th and 17th centuries, have puzzled travelers since the first European contact was made there in 1722.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
-
As my children both turned toward me, puzzled at my silence, the last three decades unfurled.—
Sofía Pereda,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This isn’t the first time the value of a thrift store find has left the internet baffled.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Illston appeared frustrated and perplexed by the government's unwillingness to engage on the merits during the hearing.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
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The 18 runs plundered off one over was the most Jasprit Bumrah had ever conceded in Tests, leaving the bowler perplexed as he was replaced.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sense of arbitrariness that had previously bewildered and frustrated me was drowned out by excitement and sheer aesthetic pleasure.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While some players confused her lyrics for other pop powerhouses', others showed off their Swiftie sides and extensive knowledge of her discography.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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Three stops into The Boy Is Mine Tour this week, fans of Brandy Norwood and Monica were left confused by the abrupt end to Saturday’s concert.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mystified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystified. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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