mysterious

[mi-steer-ee-uhs] / mɪˈstɪər i əs /

ADJECTIVE

obscure, puzzing, suggesting a mystery

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffling cryptic curious dark enigmatic inexplicable inscrutable magical mystical mystifying obscure perplexing puzzling secretive strange unknown weird

WEAK

abstruse alchemistic arcane astrological cabalistic covert difficult eldritch enigmatical equivocal esoteric furtive hidden impenetrable incomprehensible insoluble necromantic occult oracular recondite sphinxlike spiritual subjective symbolic transcendental uncanny unfathomable unknowable unnatural veiled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

apparent bright clear comprehendible comprehensible evident familiar intelligible known normal obvious plain regular usual visible

WEAK

public straightforward tangible unmysterious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Rail Events Inc. press release also teases a possible encounter with “a dark and mysterious force.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

At first glance, sea sponges seem almost too simple to be mysterious.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Finally, the hosts delve into the New York Times’ quest to uncover the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, and argue over the investigation’s conclusion.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

God may work in mysterious ways, but apparently he is still working.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Perhaps Ona was even pregnant with this mysterious Frenchman’s child.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Vocabulary lists containing mysterious

Purple Hibiscus

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Schooled

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