mystify

[mis-tuh-fahy]

See more synonyms for mystify on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.

to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.
to involve in mystery or obscurity.

Origin of mystify

1805–15; < French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery¹) + -fier -fy

Related formsmys·ti·fi·ca·tion, nounmys·ti·fied·ly, adverbmys·ti·fi·er, nounmys·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, nouno·ver·mys·ti·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·mys·ti·fied, o·ver·mys·ti·fy·ing.un·mys·ti·fied, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for mystify on Thesaurus.com

1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mystified

Contemporary Examples

All were genuinely shocked and mystified when they finally learned, on Sept. 4, that I was not covered by MagnaCare.
My Insurance Company Killed Me, Despite Obamacare
Malcolm MacDougall
November 24, 2014
The whole affair meanwhile has mystified longtime Hill insiders and ethics watchdogs.
Could an Obscure Ethics Rule Endanger Republican Star Cathy McMorris Rodgers?
David Freedlander
February 11, 2014
Vineberg stood before the bench in a black winter coat with lettering on the back that mystified the unhip.
A Sax Player, Then a Suspect After Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Final Act
Michael Daly
February 7, 2014
I mean we are all mystified by how the Gestapo, and the guards in the concentration camps, could be so cruel.
Rediscovering Richard Dawkins: An Interview
J.P. O’Malley
September 23, 2013
But in a world where people are interested in the Kardashians, why should we be mystified by the fascination with Pippa?
Laugh All You Like at Her Dumb Party Tips, but Pippa Has the Midas Touch
Tom Sykes
August 29, 2013

Historical Examples

With a mystified look she returned to the center of the room.
The Film of Fear
Arnold Fredericks
Kendal was mystified, for he saw that it was Iris' delicate chirography.
Pretty Madcap Dorothy
Laura Jean Libbey
He told his story in agitated accents, and went to bed a mystified man.
Melomaniacs
James Huneker
Thorpe gave her the mystified yet uncomplaining glance she knew so well in his eyes.
The Market-Place
Harold Frederic
"There ain't any ablution in the house," said the mystified Hannah.
Paul Prescott's Charge
Horatio Alger

British Dictionary definitions for mystified

mystify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
to make mysterious or obscure

Derived Formsmystification, nounmystifier, nounmystifying, adjectivemystifyingly, adverb

Word Origin

C19: from French mystifier, from mystère mystery 1 or mystique mystic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mystified

adj.

"bewildered, puzzled," 1863, past participle adjective from mystify.

mystify

v.

1814, from French mystifier (1772), a verb formed irregularly from mystique "a mystic" (see mystic (adj.)) + -fier (see -fy). Related: Mystified; mystifying.

mystify

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}mystify

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for mystified

Contemporary Examples

All were genuinely shocked and mystified when they finally learned, on Sept. 4, that I was not covered by MagnaCare.

The whole affair meanwhile has mystified longtime Hill insiders and ethics watchdogs.

Vineberg stood before the bench in a black winter coat with lettering on the back that mystified the unhip.

I mean we are all mystified by how the Gestapo, and the guards in the concentration camps, could be so cruel.

But in a world where people are interested in the Kardashians, why should we be mystified by the fascination with Pippa?

Historical Examples

With a mystified look she returned to the center of the room.

Kendal was mystified, for he saw that it was Iris' delicate chirography.

He told his story in agitated accents, and went to bed a mystified man.

Thorpe gave her the mystified yet uncomplaining glance she knew so well in his eyes.

"There ain't any ablution in the house," said the mystified Hannah.

mystify

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for mystified

adj.

mystify

v.

Origin of mystify