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
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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
as in perplexing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mystifying
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
Hermit is singular in the show, finding himself at a crossroads between the human characters intent on science and profit and the synthetic characters who mystify and trouble him.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Clear protein—which has earned rave reviews from many TikTokers and fitness experts—might sound mystifying.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mystifying
Verb
On Sunday, there was a mystifying stretch of turnovers on five straight possessions that began in the second quarter and extended into the fourth quarter.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis allegedly dispensed the substance at West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina, over a nearly monthlong span, leaving school officials mystified as to the origin of the foul odor, the Florence County Sheriff's office said in a statement.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
Hermit is singular in the show, finding himself at a crossroads between the human characters intent on science and profit and the synthetic characters who mystify and trouble him.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Something stirs beneath the surface as this mystifying energy takes hold, inviting us to explore the shadows, confront the truth and rise into transformation.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Clear protein—which has earned rave reviews from many TikTokers and fitness experts—might sound mystifying.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mystifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystifying
Adjective
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The sheriff’s office was called, and initially the deaths were deemed suspicious, though the situation seemed more perplexing than criminal.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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In a whirlwind year for the organization, his slump was one of the more perplexing developments.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even the film‘s core concept of The Synchronizer, a baffling psychic invention from the script that not only vexed audiences but forced unionized crew members to debate whether the thing was a light or a prop.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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This is not just baffling but really inexcusable.—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The second flare is even more puzzling.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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Staffers spent the weekend trading calls and texts, trying to piece together who had been axed, who had been spared, and, most puzzling, why.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What is the most confounding and terrible, however, is Gretchen’s assertion that Slade, the anti-Viagra, doesn’t get involved with the women on his own accord, but only engages because the women always talk about him.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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The offense’s struggles are the most confounding.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As travelers crave experiences over ordinary stays, hotels that have transformed grim to glam are now embracing their bizarre and sometimes haunted histories, even hosting weddings and wellness retreats.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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But things take a bizarre turn when her son, Simón (Roger Príncep), goes missing.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hot Mama—the name of Tyra Banks’ new hot ice cream line, obviously—is both elusive and bewildering, and her Instagram launch video provides little clarification.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
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Bizarre pivot Trump’s sudden embrace of Jewish students, pitting them against purportedly reckless university leaders, remains bewildering.—
James Druckman,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Silver Bullet The idea of league partners doing journalism is always a strange subject.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Years later, now a lawyer, Andi wins a radio contest where the host, Jake (Romaine Waite), turns the story of the sleigh bell and stranger into a segment, as listeners help track down her mystery man before Christmas.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, the final moments of season 5 also saw the shocking death of Cinda Canning (Tina Fey) — or a convincing doppelgänger — outside the Arconia, teasing the mystery Mabel, Charles and Oliver.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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But the real draw here is Cut's elaborate torture device, which uses piano wire in inventive and shocking ways.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mystifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystifying. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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