mystify

[ mis-tuh-fahy ]

/ ˈmɪs təˌfaɪ /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of mystify

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

SYNONYMS FOR mystify

1 fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mystify ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, nounmys·ti·fied·ly, adverbmys·ti·fi·er, nounmys·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverb

o·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mystifying

From the wild weather to the harsh landscape, Iceland has its fair share of mystifying phenomena.
The Elf Whisperer of Iceland|Kevin Fallon|May 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Drake found the statements Chesapeake mailed him each month mystifying.
How the Kings of Fracking Double-Crossed Their Way to Riches|ProPublica|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The busy hostile world outside is mystifying and a little unreal.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp|Owen Matthews|October 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Why Beinart would purposely misrepresent these commonly known facts is mystifying.
Peter Beinart’s Bias Against Me, Cory Booker, and Israel|Rabbi Shmuley Boteach|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Just last month, The Palm Beach Post ran a story headlined, "Exorcist priest exits public spotlight, mystifying many."
The Shame of an Exorcist Admitting Violation of Chastity|Michelle Goldberg|February 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The partisanship of the big football games has always been to me one of the most mystifying features in American life.
Pieces of Hate|Heywood Broun
And with this mystifying explanation we joined the mysterious company of the Noble Seven.
The Sky Pilot|Ralph Connor
Back in camp barely in time for mess, Bob was forced to postpone his search for information concerning the mystifying angle.
The Khaki Boys at Camp Sterling|Josephine Chase
The die-and-box trick, so often performed on the stage, is a very interesting and mystifying one.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
He instructed the switchboard operator to shut off all incoming calls, then plunged into a study of the mystifying problem.
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton

British Dictionary definitions for mystifying

mystify

/ (ˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ) /

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

to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle

to make mysterious or obscure

Derived Formsmystification, nounmystifier, nounmystifying, adjectivemystifyingly, adverb

Word Origin for mystify

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 mystifying

mystify

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