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.

In 1538 Fray Marcos de Niza set out from Mexico City, the capital of New Spain, to investigate rumors that the Seven Cities lay somewhere in El Norte Misterioso, the Mysterious North.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Mysterious, wise, uncanny — it was an animatronic robot cowboy named Dale.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

Mysterious forces seek to quiet the talking animals of Oz, who preach freedom and unity.

From Salon • Nov. 19, 2024

This was on a recent Friday afternoon at the Mysterious Bookshop, a Manhattan emporium dedicated to thrillers, detective stories, spy stories and noir classics.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2023

Edisto Snowberger, wise in All Things Mysterious, said, “He’s a gift to us! Let’s keep him. He will comfort us in our dismay.”

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Vocabulary lists containing mysterious

Purple Hibiscus

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Schooled

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