Definitions

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.

Plus: A DIY solar hack catches on, price caps at gas stations and the mysterious case of China’s falling oil imports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Or is it simply about “trauma and the mysterious workings of the unconscious,” as New York Times critic Beatrice Loayza says?

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

Last summer, a NASA-funded asteroid impact warning system detected a mysterious object speeding through the solar system.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

From the friendly alien at the heart of E.T. to the mysterious visitors in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, some of his most celebrated films have explored humanity's fascination with life beyond Earth.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

The mysterious massive object was shaped like a barrel topped with a platform and a jumble of structures.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

Vocabulary lists containing mysterious

Purple Hibiscus

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It's All a Blur: Synonyms for "Unclear"

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Schooled

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