as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
we were mystified by the sudden changes in the tax code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 mystify
Audition removes overt politics from this project, leaving an often mystifying study of just how much people willfully avoid knowing about the conditions of their lives.
—
Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
The source of the light, which shifted from blue to green to a white whose secret ingredient is ultraviolet, sat in the middle of what could have been an alien lantern, with the otherworldly lightbulb supported in a mystifying structure of translucent plastic.
—Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
The disorder’s mystifying nature frustrates medical professionals such as Dr. Lee Fireman, Dash’s pediatrician at MedStar Health.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
The 80-minute doc is currently in production and delves into the mystifying world of infamous art, wealth and power.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
The source of the light, which shifted from blue to green to a white whose secret ingredient is ultraviolet, sat in the middle of what could have been an alien lantern, with the otherworldly lightbulb supported in a mystifying structure of translucent plastic.
—Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
The disorder’s mystifying nature frustrates medical professionals such as Dr. Lee Fireman, Dash’s pediatrician at MedStar Health.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
The 80-minute doc is currently in production and delves into the mystifying world of infamous art, wealth and power.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
-
Having witnessed Axel's affection firsthand, Ollie's staff members are perplexed that the pup hasn't found his forever home, despite searching for an adopter for over a year.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The revelation perplexed Wall Street traders, who had expected bullion to be exempt from duties.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The rest of the members’ faces were left blank and confused at the mention of barking.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The president issued new guidelines for tariffs, extended some tariffs for a few months, and is confusing everyone, including consumers.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Will people be bewildered as to the difference between speaking of the two-word AI versus any of these three-word variations? Likely.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
We are bewildered with taking action regarding energy and climate change, even though suggestions and answers have been available for over 50 years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Knight was left off the two-night, 11-match SummerSlam card entirely, a decision that baffled and angered his supporters.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
-
She’s equally baffled by the widespread use of artificial intelligence.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An unusual house on the real estate market in Newport, Tennessee, is causing a bit of a stir thanks to its puzzling interior and community pool-like exterior.—
TJ Macias,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Aug. 2025
-
But self-improvement need not be the goal of puzzling, or of any hobby, for that matter.—
Sophia Stewart,
The Atlantic,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When Anthropic secretly added additional weekly usage limits to Claude Code, power users were left befuddled, claiming the company’s calculation of usage was inaccurate.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
For those counties that stayed on the list during its short life, its makeup befuddled some commissioners, who didn't understand why they were included.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share