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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Recent Examples of mystify
On opening night, the audience at St. Petersburg’s Alexandrinsky Theatre were mystified by The Seagull’s neither wholly comic nor wholly tragic tone, hissing and heckling throughout, with Chekhov fleeing from the gallery after the second act.
—
Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Canada was infuriated and mystified with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a weekend news conference excoriating the move to punish a longtime friend and ally and announcing retaliatory tariffs.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
Fishing net captures a mystery A fossilized jaw bone caught by fishermen off the coast of Taiwan in 2010 has mystified scientists for over a decade.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
What happened that night continues to mystify the police, the families, and the city.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Canada was infuriated and mystified with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a weekend news conference excoriating the move to punish a longtime friend and ally and announcing retaliatory tariffs.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025
Fishing net captures a mystery A fossilized jaw bone caught by fishermen off the coast of Taiwan in 2010 has mystified scientists for over a decade.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
What happened that night continues to mystify the police, the families, and the city.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mystify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mystify
Verb
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But there are differences that can leave college fans perplexed, like when productive and highly decorated players tumble down the draft board.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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This abrupt conclusion to their title reign left many fans perplexed, questioning the logic behind their initial victory.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And when the series takes an occasional serious turn, you'll just be confused.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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However, simply getting older doesn’t equate to consistently missing bills or appointments, having a hard time speaking with people, or feeling lost or confused in places that are familiar to you.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Across the street, her husband Steve, who nursed Molly through her first fight with breast cancer a few years earlier, sits bewildered in the office of their couples therapist.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
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Carlie thinks the whole thing is hilarious, and Chelsea remains bewildered by any King Cake Baby obsession.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Since then, little information has surfaced, and the case continues to baffle investigators.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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But even to those who had inside information, the Zimmermann note was baffling.—
Timothy W. Ryback,
The Atlantic,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some of these economists' findings may be a bit puzzling to those who closely watch the Fed.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
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Also puzzling is why the vehicle wasn't jettisoned with anti-aircraft guns and aircraft in an attempt to salvage the listing ship after it was damaged in the fighting.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The decision to reconsider law firms appeared to befuddle a few board members in public meetings leading up to the decision.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2025
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Wall Street analysts have been befuddled by Trump’s vision of bringing manufacturing operations back to the US, something that would be extremely costly and take years if not decades to accomplish.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mystify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mystify. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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