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
God knows, Korine’s Baby Invasion wasn’t beholden to anything except his own nihilistic vision (and a mystifying continuing attachment to feature length runtimes).
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Edward Norton supplies the film with a gentle Pete Seeger, someone used to leading audiences in peaceful, utopian song but increasingly mystified by this newcomer who sharpens the folk movement into a spear and then takes the battle in a completely different direction.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
By Sarah Lewin Frasier Martin Gardner’s Mathematical Games column in Scientific American fascinated and mystified readers for decades—and his legacy continues to bring mathematicians, artists and puzzlers together.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024
Here's why Scorpios epitomize Halloween and all things mystifying.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mystify 
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Edward Norton supplies the film with a gentle Pete Seeger, someone used to leading audiences in peaceful, utopian song but increasingly mystified by this newcomer who sharpens the folk movement into a spear and then takes the battle in a completely different direction.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
By Sarah Lewin Frasier Martin Gardner’s Mathematical Games column in Scientific American fascinated and mystified readers for decades—and his legacy continues to bring mathematicians, artists and puzzlers together.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024
Here's why Scorpios epitomize Halloween and all things mystifying.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
-
Late last year, Home Alone director Chris Columbus weighed in on a question that had perplexed viewers of the iconic 1990 film for decades: just what did the McCallisters do for work in order to afford that house?—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Some users on TikTok were perplexed and unaware of the blunder, while others could relate to the poster's frustration.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
After a whirlwind of speculation and confusing back-and-forth negotiations, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Some residents have confused local law enforcement for ICE agents, said Earl Stoddard, an assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County, a sign of locals' anxieties that their neighborhood could be the agency's next target.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
More taxpayers will be bewildered when a 1099-K hits the mailbox this tax season.—
Susan Tompor,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The travel ban has left many researchers, especially younger scientists, bewildered, says a senior NIH scientist who asked to remain anonymous.—
ByMeredith Wadman,
science.org,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
We may be baffled by a public that rejoiced in the baiting of bears.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The legal process can be both daunting and baffling without the help of a lawyer to navigate the rules.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
That disaster is where Peacock’s new limited series gets its name, but the show focuses on Dr. Jim Swire (Colin Firth) and his decades long mission to answer major puzzling questions about what happened.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
6 Jan. 2025
-
In an interview with Variety Friday, the actress, who earned a nod for Best Actress for her role as Elphaba in the film, said she was puzzled that Chu didn’t earn a nod for the film.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Whether that sudden shift befuddled his opponent is unclear, but just 40 seconds later Shang Zhifa was sprawled on the canvas, felled by a vicious right hand.—
Charlie Campbell,
TIME,
9 Jan. 2025
-
Once Thomas travels to Orlok’s castle, he is befuddled by the vampire’s mind-control powers, and signs a mysterious contract written in occult letters, unwittingly signing his wife away to Orlok.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near mystify
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share