mystify
VerbUS[mis-tuh-fahy]/ˈmɪstəˌfaɪ/3 syllables
Open English WordNet
Verb (2)mystified, mystifying
- 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”Synonyms: perplexvexstickgetpuzzlebafflebeatposebewilderflummoxstupefynonplusgravelamazedumbfoundMore general confuse, throwMore specific elude, stump, riddle
- make mysterious“mystify the story”Opposite demystifyMore general obscure, blot out
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Mys′ti·fy transitive verb [past tense & past participle Mystified; present participle & verbal noun Mystifying.]
Origin: F. mystifier, fr. Gr. … + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make. See 1st Mystery, and -fy.
1. To involve in mystery; to make obscure or difficult to understand; as, to mystify a passage of Scripture.
2. To perplex the mind of; to puzzle; to impose upon the credulity of; to baffle; as, to mystify an opponent.
He took undue advantage of his credulity and mystified him exceedingly.— Ld. Campbell.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54