mystify

Even when elected leaders decry inequity, they typically do more to mystify than clarify what has caused it.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2025

The Cubs, meanwhile, managed only one hit after the third inning as four Brewers relievers -- Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Ashby, rookie Chad Patrick and Abner Uribe -- combined to mystify Chicago batters to the finish.

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2025

The power of movies to reveal, arouse and mystify is also very much on Oren’s mind, specifically the eccentric, transformative discipline of Foley artists: sound technicians who bend everyday objects into a new aural reality.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2023

For reasons that mystify me, the National Council of Teachers of English thinks this is just the moment to “move beyond the exclusive focus on traditional reading and writing competencies.”

From Washington Post ● May 1, 2022

That seemed to carry some weight, or else to mystify the bear sufficiently to make him pause.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

As warmer spotlights go, “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” may never fully expunge what maddens and mystifies about the untimely end of troubled souls.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025

"What mystifies me is why not relaunch The Tig," she says, referring to the lifestyle website that Meghan once ran.

From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2025

This orca behavior mystifies scientists—but they identified a few potential explanations, such as play.

From National Geographic ● Oct. 30, 2023

And the accompanying logo and graphics crystallize much of what mystifies nonbelievers about the hallowed place that professional sports occupy in American culture.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 2, 2022

Their inclusion mystifies me, as it suggests that these fears might be considered in any way unreasonable.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Older audiences, however, are mystified by what some see as a dumbing down of popular culture.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

The disconnect between slackening activity and the increasing yield has mystified even oil chieftains.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026

She was again referred to specialists but they remained mystified by the cause of her poor health and recommended she change her lifestyle.

From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026

“We were mystified by the actions of the conference, to attack, you know, their biggest, really, business partner in football and a member of their conference in 24 of our other sports,” Bevaqua said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025

He was mystified at not being able to find it.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

“It’s mystifying to us,” says Eric Nuttall, senior portfolio manager at energy-focused investment firm Ninepoint Partners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

“This rigorous approach just hasn’t been taken with VSELs. I find the work mystifying and lacking in rigor,” he said.

From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2026

Rather, she prefers to be called a “ball of light” or “God’s helper,” mystifying phrases unburdened by the conventional stigmas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025

Lyonne’s stubbornness would be mystifying if it weren’t so familiar.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2025

It is a field in which the irresponsible amateur can have a continually mystifying sort of fun.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas