mystify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to perplex, puzzle, or baffle; defy the understanding of.
The judge's decision in this case completely mystifies me, given all the evidence.
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to perplex (a person) by playing upon their ignorance, gullibility, or naiveté; bewilder purposely.
It's the perfect propaganda to mystify and demoralize voters.
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to involve in mystery or obscurity.
These vague terms serve only to further mystify the concept for readers.
verb
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to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
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to make mysterious or obscure
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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mystificationnoun
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mystifiernoun
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overmystifyverb (used with object)
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mystifyingadjective
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unmystifiedadjective
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mystifiedlyadverb
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mystifyinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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mystifysimple
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mystifiessimple
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have mystifiedperfect
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has mystifiedperfect
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am mystifyingprogressive
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are mystifyingprogressive
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is mystifyingprogressive
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have been mystifyingperfect progressive
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has been mystifyingperfect progressive
Past
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mystifiedsimple
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had mystifiedperfect
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was mystifyingprogressive
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were mystifyingprogressive
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had been mystifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of mystify
First recorded in 1805–15; from French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic ( def. ) or mystère mystery 1 ( def. ) ) + -fier -fy ( def. )
Explanation
If something totally stumps you, doesn't make one lick of sense and has no logical explanation, then it's safe to say it mystifies you. To mystify is a verb that sounds not so mysteriously like mystery. That's because something that mystifies is just that. There's no answer or explanation to be found for it. If you're mystified, you're in awe and bewilderment. The infinite nature of the universe mystifies some people. Others are mystified by the appeal of teen sensations from Ricky Nelson to Justin Bieber.
Vocabulary lists containing mystify
In a Pickle: Words for When You're in Trouble
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
So far, this election has been light on the specifics, but the state faces real problems — from a failing healthcare system to gas prices that literally mystify even lawmakers.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2026
The Cubs, meanwhile, managed only one hit after the third inning as four Brewers relievers -- Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Ashby, rookie Chad Patrick and Abner Uribe -- combined to mystify Chicago batters to the finish.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2025
The tackling issues Sunday seemed to mystify defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, who the previous week lauded the team’s recent improvement.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024
Some have even created "The AI Hype Wall of Shame" to critique pundits who dramatize and mystify A.I. overmuch.
From Salon ● May 30, 2023
That seemed to carry some weight, or else to mystify the bear sufficiently to make him pause.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
"What mystifies me is why not relaunch The Tig," she says, referring to the lifestyle website that Meghan once ran.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2025
“There’s this thing about this place that has so much history. In a way, it mystifies movies forever. Once your film was in Cannes, it was in Cannes.”
From Seattle Times ● May 11, 2024
This orca behavior mystifies scientists—but they identified a few potential explanations, such as play.
From National Geographic ● Oct. 30, 2023
While the Bronx is less than an hour from Columbia by subway, it feels like a whole other world — one that at times mystifies Sarah.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 8, 2022
“It mystifies me, Miss Lumley, how you can even persist in calling those three untamed creatures ‘children.’
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
This last claim mystified McArthur, who says the picnic was a success.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
"But I am still mystified what happened to him after the war."
From BBC ● May 5, 2026
Some Berkshire investors remain mystified by Sokol’s rise and fall.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026
“We were mystified by the actions of the conference, to attack, you know, their biggest, really, business partner in football and a member of their conference in 24 of our other sports,” Bevaqua said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
This is the punctuation mark that has many sign painters mystified.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
“This rigorous approach just hasn’t been taken with VSELs. I find the work mystifying and lacking in rigor,” he said.
From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2026
This weekend he confronts, for the first time, Beethoven’s daunting mystical and mystifying “Missa Solemnis.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2026
Past crypto selloffs had clearer explanations, which made this one more mystifying.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026
That he has excelled at Betis, with 15 goals and seven assists in 38 games across all competitions, makes his form at Old Trafford all the more mystifying.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025
I say that my current offering isn’t a mystical story, or a religiously mystifying story, at all.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
