mystify

verb

mys·​ti·​fy ˈmi-stə-ˌfī How to pronounce mystify (audio)
mystified; mystifying
Synonyms of mystifynext

transitive verb

1
: to perplex the mind of : bewilder
2
: to make mysterious or obscure
mystify an interpretation of a prophecy
mystifier
ˈmi-stə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce mystify (audio)
noun
mystifyingly
ˈmi-stə-ˌfī-iŋ-lē How to pronounce mystify (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of mystify in a Sentence

The cause of the disease mystified doctors for many years. The magician has been mystifying his audiences for years with his amazing tricks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its particle/wave title alludes to the often mystifying duality of subatomic reality, which drove major scientific discovery for three centuries, from Isaac Newton to Albert Einstein. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 This mystifying season encourages you to explore closeness and transformation in your relationships, personally and professionally. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 Not to mention the drumming and compositions from the band’s Isaac Faulk solidifies Absolute Elsewhere as a mystifying instrumental achievement. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Whether dining at the Carver Café or stumbling upon the mystifying Cullen house, every scene offers decor inspiration for your home. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mystify 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French mystifier "to hoodwink, dupe," from Greek mýstēs "person initiated (into a religious cult)" + French -ifier -ify — more at mystic entry 1

Note: French mystifier was used by 18th-century literati in the context of elaborate practical jokes in which some pseudo-magical procedure would be performed on the subject of the joke as a sort of mock initiation. Such a joke is described by the playwright Charles-Simon Favart (1710-92) in a letter of June 24, 1760, apparently the earliest known occurrence of the verb: one Poinsinet is persuaded that the application of a magic ointment has made him invisible and he then becomes the butt of various jests. According to Favart, Poinsinet was dubbed le mystifié (presumably, "one made an initiate") as a result of the jests, which he refers to collectively as la mystification. (See Mémoires et correspondances littéraires, dramatiques et anecdotiques de C.S. Favart, tome 1, Paris, 1808, p. 50-52.) The meaning of the English word has been influenced by mystery entry 1, mystical, etc.

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mystify was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near mystify

mystifiedly

mystify

mystique

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mystify. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

mystify

verb
mys·​ti·​fy ˈmis-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce mystify (audio)
mystified; mystifying
: to confuse thoroughly the understanding of : perplex
mystified by his behavior
mystification
ˌmis-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on mystify

Nglish: Translation of mystify for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mystify for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...