1
as in cryptic
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the huge stone statues on Easter Island are ancient, mysterious, and haunting
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2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the stranger's mysterious prediction
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mysterious
Critics, and increasingly larger audiences each year, have praised the show’s uniquely smoky mixture of atmosphere, character, humor and action, revolving around a crack investigator for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with intriguing personal quirks and a mysterious past.
—
Bob Verini, Variety, 4 June 2025
This latest slew of discoveries, announced by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) last month, represents a triumph for the study of the mysterious ancient civilization.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Bob Verini, Variety, 4 June 2025
This latest slew of discoveries, announced by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) last month, represents a triumph for the study of the mysterious ancient civilization.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mysterious
Adjective
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Gad teased work on the project in 2024 with a cryptic Instagram post that blocked out certain sections on the script’s cover page.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
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This Instagram comment comes amid a series of cryptic social media posts shared by Bieber and growing concerns for him.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous, or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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The Food and Drug Administration’s April 22 news release contains some ambiguous language.—
Andrea Ruth,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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In a quaint village nestled high in the Swiss alps, an enigmatic domed building towers above the sloped rooftops.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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The invisible legacy In the end, Sara is left with one last crucial gift from her mentor, Massimiliano—a CD with an enigmatic message.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Its reversible design features dark stripes on one side made of 92 percent wool, 4 percent polyester, and 4 percent cotton, and the opposite side is made from 100 percent cotton in the solid natural color.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
15 June 2025
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The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat in a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument.—
LOLITA C. BALDOR,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This book contains the first English translation of the writings of af Klint, a Swedish painter and mystic.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
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The author also varies the texture of the book by inserting poems, quotations, dramatic dialogue, a veiled account of her unhappy days at boarding school, and a lengthy digression on the German mystic Friederike Hauffe, who claimed to be clairvoyant and to communicate with spirits.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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The banner offers a peek into a relatively obscure group during a critical moment in American history.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
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The other is a bit more obscure: Juan Samuel, with 70 extra-base hits and 72 steals as a Phillies rookie in 1984.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Wilson demonstrated an uncanny gift for harmonic invention and complex vocal and instrumental arrangements.—
Roy Trakin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
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Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, there is a reason this haunting, uncanny novel has such enduring appeal.—
Miriam Gershow
June 9,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
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This is a deep, dark, peppery and elegant wine at astonishing value.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mysterious. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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