mystify

UK: /ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/ US: /ˈmɪstəˌfaɪ/ ,(mis′tə fī′)

Inflections of 'mystify' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

mystifies

v 3rd person singular

mystifying

v pres p

mystified

v past

mystified

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mys•ti•fy /ˈmɪstəˌfaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to cause confusion; to perplex or bewilder:
   completely mystified by his decision not to take such a good job.

mys•ti•fi•ca•tion /ˌmɪstəfɪˈkeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mys•ti•fy  (mis′tə fī′), v.t., -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity;
   bewilder purposely.
2. to involve in mystery or obscurity.

• French mystifier, equivalent. to mysti- (irregularly combining form of mystique mystic or mystère mystery¹) + -fier -fy
• 1805–15

mys′ti•fi•ca′tion, n. 
mys′ti•fied′ly, adv. 
mys′ti•fi′er, n. 
mys′ti•fy′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. fool, mislead, elude, puzzle.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

mystify / ˈmɪstɪˌfaɪ/ verb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)(transitive)

1. to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle
2. to make mysterious or obscure

Etymology: 19th Century: from French mystifier, from mystère mystery¹ or mystique mystic

ˌmystifiˈcation noun

ˈmystiˌfying adjective