as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
we were mystified by the sudden changes in the tax code
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mystify
Abundant candlesticks, stone accents, iron or wooden chandeliers, and dramatic tapestries will channel this mystifying decorating theme.
—
Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Indecipherable homework assignments that would mystify mere mortals are, well, child's play to Suborno, something his parents marveled at early on.
—Susan Spencer, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2025
God knows, Korine’s Baby Invasion wasn’t beholden to anything except his own nihilistic vision (and a mystifying continuing attachment to feature length runtimes).
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Edward Norton supplies the film with a gentle Pete Seeger, someone used to leading audiences in peaceful, utopian song but increasingly mystified by this newcomer who sharpens the folk movement into a spear and then takes the battle in a completely different direction.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mystify 
Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Indecipherable homework assignments that would mystify mere mortals are, well, child's play to Suborno, something his parents marveled at early on.
—Susan Spencer, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2025
God knows, Korine’s Baby Invasion wasn’t beholden to anything except his own nihilistic vision (and a mystifying continuing attachment to feature length runtimes).
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Edward Norton supplies the film with a gentle Pete Seeger, someone used to leading audiences in peaceful, utopian song but increasingly mystified by this newcomer who sharpens the folk movement into a spear and then takes the battle in a completely different direction.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
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Sociologists have been perplexed at the scale and stubbornness of the decline in fertility, which does not appear to be materially impacted by various governments' attempts to intervene with supposedly birth-inducing policies like tax credits.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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For years, astronomers have been perplexed by this particular supermassive black hole, a behemoth as large as a million suns in a distant galaxy.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This should not be confused as some kind of part-time mentoring role, like someone coming in to give a speech once in a while and then clearing off.—
Simon Johnson,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
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Don't let the term air fryer confuse you: These things are pretty much just small convection ovens that use fans to circulate hot air around your food in order to cook it evenly and efficiently.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appétit,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Internet users were obsessed yet bewildered with the unique positioning.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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But Judge was the only one who wasn’t bewildered by the move.—
Chris Kirschner,
The Athletic,
14 Aug. 2024
Verb
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However, she was baffled by the woman's insistence and entitlement.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The surprising source of the repeating burst has baffled astronomers, who haven't considered that regions in which no stars are forming could produce such a radio flare.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Further homages to the local area come via a brickwork pattern called Flemish bond that is a familiar sight on homes and buildings across Wrexham, plus the one feature that has left some supporters puzzled — the five uneven monolith-style blocks of brick that make up the exterior.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Jimmie Johnson was left out, which Alex Bowman found puzzling.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Mars methane mystery has befuddled scientists for years.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
1 Jan. 2025
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Whether that sudden shift befuddled his opponent is unclear, but just 40 seconds later Shang Zhifa was sprawled on the canvas, felled by a vicious right hand.—
Charlie Campbell,
TIME,
9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near mystify
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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