Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make something mysterious or difficult to understand: To deliberately obscure the meaning or explanation of something, making it puzzling.
   • To perplex or bewilder someone: To cause someone to feel confused or puzzled because they cannot understand something.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The magician's trick was designed to mystify the audience. (The magician's trick was intended to make the audience bewildered.)
  • The ancient symbols on the wall continue to mystify archaeologists. (The ancient symbols on the wall continue to perplex archaeologists.)
  • He tried to mystify his past, giving conflicting stories about his childhood. (He attempted to make his past mysterious by giving conflicting accounts.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be mystified by": to be completely puzzled or bewildered by something.
  • I am utterly mystified by his sudden change of heart. (I am completely bewildered by his sudden change of heart.)
• "to mystify the issue": to deliberately complicate or obscure a topic, making it harder to understand.
  • The politician's vague answers only served to mystify the issue further. (The politician's vague answers only succeeded in making the topic more confusing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mystification (n): The state of being mystified; the act of mystifying.
  • The instructions caused great mystification among the users. (The instructions caused great confusion among the users.)
• Mystifying (adj): Causing bewilderment; puzzling.
  • The lack of evidence is the most mystifying aspect of the case. (The lack of evidence is the most puzzling aspect of the case.)
• Demystify (v): To make something easier to understand; to clarify.
  • The course aims to demystify the principles of quantum physics. (The course aims to clarify the principles of quantum physics.)

Synonyms

• Bewilder: To cause someone to become perplexed and confused.
• Perplex: To make someone feel completely baffled.
• Baffle: To frustrate or confuse someone; to be too difficult to understand.
• Confound: To cause surprise or confusion, often by acting against expectations.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Mystify" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically conveyed directly.)

Related Idioms

• To be a mystery wrapped in an enigma: (While not containing "mystify," this idiom describes something profoundly mystifying.) Something extremely puzzling and difficult to understand.
  • His true motives remain a mystery wrapped in an enigma. (His true motives remain profoundly puzzling.)

Verb

1. make mysterious
   • mystify the story
2. be a mystery or bewildering to
   • This beats me!
   • Got me--I don't know the answer!
   • a vexing problem
   • This question really stuck me