as in to perplex
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 mystify
Exhibitions, no matter their theme, always had a way of mystifying me.
—
Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
People were talking about Roman Abramovich, the oil-and-aluminum billionaire, who was running for governor of Chukotka, mystifying everybody.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
The Cowboys’ offense was mystified in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Why this energy remains gravitationally muted still mystifies physicists.
—George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
People were talking about Roman Abramovich, the oil-and-aluminum billionaire, who was running for governor of Chukotka, mystifying everybody.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
The Cowboys’ offense was mystified in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Why this energy remains gravitationally muted still mystifies physicists.
—George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
-
That none of this has ever been clear to Gisèle is perplexing even to her.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
While initially perplexing to the Messers and other anglers, some now believe this was part of Phillips’ long con.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Restaurants that have a smaller 3% charge to cover healthcare might leave customers confused on how to proceed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Netflix representatives have been warning investors not to confuse the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period with regulatory clearance, citing examples where DOJ investigations have continued, per a note from Guggenheim Securities this week.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The continued controversy over the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance baffles me.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
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Yet Howe, his coaches and recruitment staff were baffled by such early criticism.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Advertisement No one knew ahead of time which puzzle they’d be asked to solve.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The poor rott just stood there with its tail tucked between its legs, puzzled.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Desire Doue let the ball run through his legs, befuddling his marker to such a degree that the only sensible reaction was laughter.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The left-hander from California struck out nine Michigan State Spartans in Sunday's 4-0 victory at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, befuddling his overmatched victims with an electric breaking ball.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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