as in perplexing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in baffling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
we were mystified by the sudden changes in the tax code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystifying
Adjective
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Ehlers’ usage with the Jets has long been perplexing with 2024-25 being his third straight season playing under 16 minutes.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
17 June 2025 -
In the end, Blakey said, the forces that landed Madigan in his courtroom were perplexing.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The claim that chess is a form of gambling was baffling, according to every chess player NPR spoke to, including Herat resident Jarallah Badghisi.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
17 June 2025
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Some baffling decisions were made that fundamentally alter not only her characterization and arc, but the very nature of the story itself.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While most players at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship are battling the Texas heat, slow play, and a demanding Fields Ranch East layout, Leona Maguire is dealing with something far more bizarre—tick bites!—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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And frankly that bizarre idea makes the PEN Charter incoherent too.—
Kamila Shamsie
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Then two things happened that have come to define the most bewildering season in the proud history of the six-time MLS champions.—
Mark Zeigler,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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This is bewildering to Nick, who has questions about openness, fluidity and relationship labels.—
Jennifer Vineyard,
Flow Space,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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This film is set entirely inside a taxi cab that Panahi is driving around Tehran, as different people drift in and out of his car with their own strange and very personal dramas.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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But one of the strangest well wishes came not from a person, but a 1,400-foot-tall building.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The Paris heavyweight routed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their Club World Cup opening game, suffered a shocking 1-0 upset by Brazilian club Botafogo in their second match, and then beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to clinch first place in the group.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
27 June 2025
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The 6-foot-7 forward will join Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis with the Mavericks, who are looking to turn around the franchise following the shocking midseason trade of Luka Dončić in February.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Pulling on the dreamy horrors of 1971’s Valerie & Her Week of Wonders and Nolan’s Memento as inspiration, Santana settled on an eerie art film that has drawn comparisons to rap’s Midsommar.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
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In the case of Sotheby’s upcoming sale of Napoleonic memorabilia, the answer involves fog, eerie sound effects and a Pop Art take on military regalia.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Mystifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystifying. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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