mystify

[ mis-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.

1. to perplex, puzzle, or baffle; defy the understanding of:

   The judge's decision in this case completely mystifies me, given all the evidence.

2. to perplex (a person) by playing upon their ignorance, gullibility, or naiveté; bewilder purposely:

   It's the perfect propaganda to mystify and demoralize voters.

   Synonyms: puzzle, elude, mislead, fool

3. to involve in mystery or obscurity:

   These vague terms serve only to further mystify the concept for readers.

mystify

/ ˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
2. to make mysterious or obscure

Derived Forms

• ˈmystiˌfyingly, adverb
• ˈmystiˌfying, adjective
• ˌmystifiˈcation, noun
• ˈmystiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• mys·ti·fi·ca·tion [mis-t, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• mys·ti·fied·ly adverb
• mys·ti·fi·er noun
• mys·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
• o·ver·mys·ti·fy verb (used with object) overmystified overmystifying
• un·mys·ti·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystify¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic ( def ) or mystère mystery ¹( def ) ) + -fier -fy ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystify¹

C19: from French mystifier, from mystère mystery ¹or mystique mystic

Example Sentences

It reached a mystified June Spencer while she was getting lunch in the BBC canteen.

From BBC

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.

From Los Angeles Times

Sources close to the player have said they were mystified why Ten Hag should end up talking about Rashford’s ill-advised trip to Belfast nearly eight months earlier, before the game at Selhurst Park.

From BBC

From the beginning of my awareness of politics, I was mystified by the apparent irrationality of people voting against their material self-interest.

From Salon

It’s one of the mystifying things — that much like Leonard Cohen, my songs are cast as being depressive when a lot of them are written explicitly as comic songs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffle
• confound
• deceive
• perplex
• puzzle
• stump