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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mystify
The film tells the story of her Hungarian family’s relocation to Vancouver Island during one summer in the 1990s, as her parents grapple with the worsening and mystifying behavior of her older half-brother Jeremy (Edik Beddoes).
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Franz Wagner, who missed 48 games this year with that mystifying ankle injury, finally started looking like his old self with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
But the mystifying circumstances of his 1973 death — involving an overdose at the Joshua Tree Inn and the subsequent theft of his body — have often overshadowed his remarkable musical legacy.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
When great white sharks started vanishing from the coastal waters around Cape Town, South Africa, some scientists and conservationists were mystified.
—Michael H Gavshon, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Franz Wagner, who missed 48 games this year with that mystifying ankle injury, finally started looking like his old self with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
But the mystifying circumstances of his 1973 death — involving an overdose at the Joshua Tree Inn and the subsequent theft of his body — have often overshadowed his remarkable musical legacy.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
When great white sharks started vanishing from the coastal waters around Cape Town, South Africa, some scientists and conservationists were mystified.
—Michael H Gavshon, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
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Aryna Sabalenka being asked to dance after defeating Naomi Osaka in the French Open has one former American tennis star perplexed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Democrats have been particularly perplexed given the state's top-two primary system, which places all candidates on a single ballot regardless of party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Some women who filed lawsuits against Ortega reported they had been confused about whether demeaning or uncomfortable actions the doctor engaged in during exams was within the bounds of necessary medical behavior.—
Emily Hoerner,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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Cancers can release this protein into the tumor microenvironment, where the molecule attaches to the T cells and change their ability to communicate with other cells, confusing the T cells and restricting their ability to survive and kill cancer.—
Charles J. Dimitroff,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2026
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Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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New York Knicks radio broadcaster Tyler Murray was baffled Wednesday night.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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Social media is thick with ex-players baffled that their years in uniform count for so little with modern decision-makers.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The 24 hours between Sunday and Monday made an already puzzling situation even more head spinning.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
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The Braves swapped out catchers Thursday, a move that puzzled some fans because there wasn’t a clear explanation.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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That prevents your privacy and befuddles trackers that bundle your location and demographic data along with your online activities to sell your profile to advertisers and brokers.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
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Just reaching the Finals has befuddled most of my friends.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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