mystify
Americanverb (used with object)
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mystifies,
present (3rd person singular)
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mystified,
past participle, past
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mystifying
present participle
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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:
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
“It may mystify some people, but there is such demand for these sorts of things,” Fyall said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 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
Here, senior writer Mary Elizabeth Williams amps up the classic with an unexpected ingredient that adds a sharp, bright note that will both mystify and satisfy.
From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2022
Even today the artist remains a magician whose work can mystify and move us—an embarrassing fact to civilized people, who do not readily relinquish their veneer of rational control.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
As warmer spotlights go, “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” may never fully expunge what maddens and mystifies about the untimely end of troubled souls.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025
"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
Their inclusion mystifies me, as it suggests that these fears might be considered in any way unreasonable.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Older audiences, however, are mystified by what some see as a dumbing down of popular culture.
From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026
For his part, Cage mystified people on set with the spider-like moves he did to convey what was happening to his character’s body.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
And when we sheepishly asked a local resident about whether she'd noticed any "frei Kartoffeln" in the area she seemed slightly mystified, if not a little concerned for me.
From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2026
“There is a reason people are mystified: He is something of a mystery,” says retired federal Judge Vaughn Walker, a 1989 George H.W.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2025
Both watched, mystified as Winifred the otter and Foremole hoisted and pulled a seesaw into view.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Fans often find concert pricing mystifying, and some details about these cheap ticket programs remain opaque.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
“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
Rather, she prefers to be called a “ball of light” or “God’s helper,” mystifying phrases unburdened by the conventional stigmas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
Its translucent-white flesh — which is soft yet has a bite to it — tastes mystifying: floral with notes of rose, pear and strawberry.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2025
The most mystifying symptom of this affliction was that one ogre would choose to serve another ogre—or animal—that it loved.
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
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.
