Mystifying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mystifying

[หˆmษชstษชfaษชษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

causing confusion or bewilderment; perplexing

Synonyms

confusing, perplexing, puzzling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mystifying

Used when something is deeply enigmatic or hard to understand, often invoking a sense of wonder or intrigue.

  • His disappearance from the locked room was utterly mystifying
  • The magician's tricks were so mystifying that no one could figure them out
puzzling

Used when something is confusing in a way that makes you think carefully about it, often involving a problem or situation that requires a solution.

  • The riddle was so puzzling that it took him hours to solve
  • The strange noise in the house at night was puzzling them
perplexing

Used when something is hard to comprehend and causes someone to feel puzzled or baffled, often implying complexity.

  • The scientist posed a perplexing question that had everyone scratching their heads
  • The sudden change in weather patterns was perplexing to the meteorologists
confusing

Used when something is unclear, hard to follow, or causes uncertainty. It implies a lack of clarity or simplicity.

  • The instructions for assembling the furniture were very confusing
  • His sudden change in attitude was confusing to everyone

Examples of usage

  • The magician's mystifying tricks left the audience in awe.
  • The mystifying disappearance of the treasure baffled the investigators.
  • The cryptic message was mystifying to decipher.
Context #2 | Verb

action

to perplex or bewilder someone

Synonyms

baffle, bewilder, confound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mystifying

Use when something is puzzling or hard to understand, usually in a more mysterious or intriguing way.

  • The ancient symbols on the wall were mystifying to the archaeologists
baffle

Useful when describing a situation where something is so confusing that it leaves one unable to understand or solve a problem.

  • The complex math problem baffled all the students in the class
confound

Typically used when something causes confusion by challenging expectations or conventional thinking, often with a surprising or unexpected outcome.

  • The magician's trick confounded the audience, leaving them questioning reality
bewilder

Use when something causes someone to be deeply confused or perplexed, often in a more emotional or psychological way.

  • The sudden change in his behavior completely bewildered his friends

Examples of usage

  • The complex puzzle mystified the participants.
  • His behavior continues to mystify me.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People are often drawn to mystifying experiences because they stimulate curiosity and creative thinking.
  • Research suggests that encountering the unknown can trigger a profound emotional response, activating areas of the brain related to desire and reward.
  • A sense of the mystifying can lead to both stress and fascination, influencing one's outlook on life.

Pop Culture

  • Mystifying plots and twists are popular in movies and books, capturing audience attention and sparking discussions.
  • Magicians often mystify audiences with illusions that challenge perception and reality.
  • Mystifying artwork, like surrealism, immerses viewers in dream-like scenes that evoke wonder and questioning.

Science

  • Mystifying concepts in science, such as black holes, leave researchers contemplating the very fabric of our universe.
  • Quantum mechanics presents a mystifying reality where particles can exist in multiple states at once.
  • The mysteries of deep-sea creatures and their bioluminescence continue to baffle scientists.

Literature

  • Many classic novels hinge on mystifying mysteries, compelling readers to piece together clues.
  • Symbolism in poetry often creates mystifying layers of meaning, inviting multiple interpretations.
  • Literary genres like gothic fiction thrive on mystifying elements, combining suspense with the supernatural.

Origin of 'mystifying'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek word 'mystikos' meaning 'sacred' or 'mysterious'.
  • It evolved through the Latin 'mystificare', which means to make something mysterious.
  • The use of 'mystifying' in English dates back to the 19th century.

The word 'mystifying' originates from the verb 'mystify', which comes from the French word 'mystifier', meaning 'to confound or bewilder'. The term has been in use since the 19th century to describe something that causes confusion or perplexity.


See also: mystification, mystified, mystifyingly.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,647, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.