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.
-
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
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"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
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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
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
For reasons that mystify me, the National Council of Teachers of English thinks this is just the moment to “move beyond the exclusive focus on traditional reading and writing competencies.”
From Washington Post ● May 1, 2022
That seemed to carry some weight, or else to mystify the bear sufficiently to make him pause.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
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
This orca behavior mystifies scientists—but they identified a few potential explanations, such as play.
From National Geographic ● Oct. 30, 2023
Why people should be offended by this mystifies Carlson.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 12, 2021
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
The disconnect between slackening activity and the increasing yield has mystified even oil chieftains.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 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 unusual formation has fascinated and mystified both scientists and the public for decades.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2025
Stella, mystified, let her cry, until she, too, was shaking with cold.
From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper
It is, therefore, mystifying as to how they got it so wrong, as the problems could be foreseen by anyone with an understanding of F1.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
“It’s mystifying to us,” says Eric Nuttall, senior portfolio manager at energy-focused investment firm Ninepoint Partners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 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
This weekend he confronts, for the first time, Beethoven’s daunting mystical and mystifying “Missa Solemnis.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2026
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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
