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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of mystify
With the sun entering mystifying Scorpio, and your expansive ninth house of travel, belief systems and self-discovery become illuminated, inspiring the urge to venture into uncharted waters and explore new ideas and philosophies that resonate with your personal growth.
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Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
These liner notes help explain all the various references and in-jokes that newer anime fans will find utterly mystifying.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
This is a 4-billion-year-old trick that even today mystifies biologists who struggle to understand the processes and principles at work.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024
This propulsive autofiction novel is set in the ICU, where our narrator spends 11 days for an injury to his aorta that mystifies his doctors and terrifies his partner (they were set up by colleagues as the only two gay poets in Iowa City).
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mystify 
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
These liner notes help explain all the various references and in-jokes that newer anime fans will find utterly mystifying.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
This is a 4-billion-year-old trick that even today mystifies biologists who struggle to understand the processes and principles at work.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024
This propulsive autofiction novel is set in the ICU, where our narrator spends 11 days for an injury to his aorta that mystifies his doctors and terrifies his partner (they were set up by colleagues as the only two gay poets in Iowa City).
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
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As a nearly life-long Democrat from a fifth-generation Kansas family farm, a family of Trump supporters, and married to a self-professed, ultra-MAGA Trumper, I’m perplexed.Ted Trimpa, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
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They were perplexed, but their relationship with their son was already rocky.Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
Verb
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The team wants Alex Mill to be more of a household name brand without getting too big to manage properly, or so expansive as to confuse the customer with many fashion messages.David Moin, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024
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San Francisco sued Oakland for infringing its airport’s trademarks in April, arguing the Oakland airport’s similar new name would confuse travelers.Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Americans and Brits, being less royalist and more empirical in temperament, are bewildered by the general French understanding that the top thinker is supposed to be imperious and maximalist.Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
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She remains moved by a frank conversation with a boat captain in Copenhagen who was bewildered about people in the US having registries for honeymoons and also births.Rosie Bell, WIRED, 22 Sep. 2024
Verb
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As China threatened to retaliate with tariffs on imports of German cars, Berlin turned on Brussels and voted against the measures—a move that left many European policymakers baffled.Agathe Demarais, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
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Lambert’s friend Kilcullen remains baffled that the judge keeps delaying the sentencing hearings.Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Yet many observers have been puzzled by the absence of any practical Israeli plan for ending the conflict, particularly one that might lead to a lasting political settlement.Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
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German carmakers bet big on the EV revolution, if later than competitors, and have been left puzzled by slowing growth after initial widespread uptake.BYRyan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The lack of consistent officiating has long been a pet peeve within the garage, to the point that drivers are often befuddled as to what constitutes a penalty and what doesn’t.Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
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After Pakman explains the way tariffs harm American companies, Kelly seems befuddled.Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near mystify
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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