MYSTIFIES Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

mystifies

verb

present tense third-person singular of mystify

as in perplexes

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty we were mystified by the sudden changes in the tax code

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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 mystifies Why this energy remains gravitationally muted still mystifies physicists. — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystifies

Verb

But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.

— Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026

Definition of perplexes

Verb

These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
But nobody confuses Harvard Extension School classes with the real thing.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of confuses

Verb

Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026

Definition of baffles

Verb

As fans of the comedian know, Ali G is a streetwise interviewer whose hip hop slang often bewilders guests such as Noam Chomsky, Andy Rooney and Newt Gingrich.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 7 July 2026
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

Definition of bewilders

Verb

The pitch can move to either direction of the plate — a profile that still puzzles his teammates and pitch recognition tools.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Although many economists say the market was overvalued and a decline was inevitable, what triggered the crash is open to debate, and the sheer magnitude of the drop still puzzles economists.

— Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Definition of puzzles

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mystifies

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“Mystifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystifies. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of mystifies

verb

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