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 for mystify

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1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.

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

Related Words for mystifying

cryptic, perplexing, puzzling, equivocal, unnatural, secretive, esoteric, magical, inexplicable, baffling, subjective, inscrutable, incomprehensible, occult, hidden, obscure, veiled, abstruse, arcane, cabalistic

Examples from the Web for mystifying

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
The busy hostile world outside is mystifying and a little unreal.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp
Owen Matthews
October 27, 2013
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
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

Historical Examples of mystifying

To tell the truth, she's more than half afraid of me, and I delight in mystifying her all I can.
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
Oh, no, don't tell me that; what good can there be in mystifying me?
Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2 (of 2)
Charles Lever
Mystifying as were her statements, Jean Brent had the appearance of honesty.
Grace Harlowe's Problem
Jessie Graham Flower
A leader and his accomplice are necessary to this mystifying game.
Games and Play for School Morale
Various
I consider this little trick to be one of the most mystifying of the Indian conjuror.
Indian Conjuring
L. H. Branson

British Dictionary definitions for mystifying

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 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.