mystification

noun

mys·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmi-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of mystifying

b

: an obscuring especially of capitalist or social dynamics (as by making them equivalent to natural laws) that is seen in Marxist thought as an impediment to critical consciousness

the mystification of the sources of wealth

—Henry Staten

2

: the quality or state of being mystified

3

: something designed to mystify

Synonyms

• bafflement
• bamboozlement
• befuddlement
• bemusement
• bewilderedness
• bewilderment
• confusedness
• confusion
• discombobulation
• distraction
• fog
• head-scratching
• maze [chiefly dialect]
• muddle
• perplexity
• puzzlement
• tangle
• whirl

Examples of mystification in a Sentence

the new information did little to ease our mystification

an event that is one of the great mystifications in all of maritime history

Recent Examples on the Web

Clark thinks part of the problem is the mystification of what happens inside the political arena. —Samuel J. Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 7 Oct. 2024

Everett’s fiction frequently mystifies critics, who excuse their mystification by describing his work as confounding. —Maya Binyam, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

Many have expressed excited mystification at 4batz’s seemingly quick success. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024

The feminine mystique has always been a mystification, and a useful one at that. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "hoodwinking, trickery," from mystifier "to hoodwink, dupe" + -ification -ification — more at mystify

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a