mystify

[ mis-tuh-fahy ]

/ ˈmɪs təˌfaɪ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR mystify ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.

to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.

to involve in mystery or obscurity.

Origin of mystify

1805–15; < French mystifier, equivalent to mysti- (irregular combining form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery¹) + -fier -fy

SYNONYMS FOR mystify

1 fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR mystify ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM mystify

mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, noun mys·ti·fied·ly, adverb mys·ti·fi·er, noun mys·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverb

o·ver·mys·ti·fi·ca·tion, noun o·ver·mys·ti·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·mys·ti·fied, o·ver·mys·ti·fy·ing. un·mys·ti·fied, adjective

Words nearby mystify

mystical, mystical theology, mysticete, mysticism, mysticize, mystify, mystique, mysuru, mytacism, myth, myth.

Example sentences from the Web for mystify

He does things that mystify her, too, which I think is true of all relationships.

Adam Driver on Role-Play Sex with Lena Dunham on ‘Girls’ and Adam’s Stormy Relationship with Hannah |Marlow Stern |March 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
How does suicide in the ranks continue to mystify the much-vaunted and ever-powerful U.S. military?

The Battle with PTSD After the Fighting Stops |Matt Gallagher |October 9, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The result was to deepen and mystify a simple political remark.

Mitt Romney’s No More Of a Mystery Than Barack Obama |Lee Siegel |February 9, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
And this was just the thing he loved—to mystify honest people, and be a great deal too knowing.

Lorna Doone |R. D. Blackmore

What covert heresy is this, Lucy, with which you are endeavoring to mystify my old-fashioned notions?

Continental Monthly , Vol. 5, No. 6, June, 1864 |Various
All the long series of attempts made in the supposed interest of the Church to mystify these transactions have at last failed.

History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom |Andrew Dickson White
These mystify him and his friends, but they are understandable when the whole truth is known.

Outwitting Our Nerves |Josephine A. Jackson and Helen M. Salisbury
Mrs. Lascelles purposely did not introduce his lordship in return, that she might mystify the old spinster.

The Pirate and The Three Cutters |Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for mystify

mystify

/ (ˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle

to make mysterious or obscure

Derived forms of mystify

mystification, noun mystifier, noun mystifying, adjective mystifyingly, adverb

Word Origin for mystify

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

mystify

verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.

Origin of mystify

SYNONYMS FOR mystify

OTHER WORDS FROM mystify

Words nearby mystify

Example sentences from the Web for mystify

British Dictionary definitions for mystify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

Derived forms of mystify

Word Origin for mystify

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

mystify

verb (used with object), mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing.

Origin of mystify

SYNONYMS FOR mystify

OTHER WORDS FROM mystify

Words nearby mystify

Words related to mystify

Example sentences from the Web for mystify

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verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

Derived forms of mystify

Word Origin for mystify

British Dictionary definitions for mystify