View synonyms for

mysterious

[ mi-steer-ee-uhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

full of, characterized by, or involving mystery:
a mysterious occurrence.
Synonyms: , , ,
implying or suggesting a mystery:
a mysterious smile.
of obscure nature, meaning, origin, etc.; puzzling; inexplicable:
a mysterious inscription on the ancient tomb.
Synonyms: , , , ,

mysterious

/ ��ɪˈ��ɪə��ɪə�� /

adjective

characterized by or indicative of mystery
puzzling, curious, or enigmatic

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Derived Forms

��ˈ�ٱ��ǳܲ��, adverb
��ˈ�ٱ��ǳܲ��Ա��, noun

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Other Word Forms

��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ�·�� adverb
��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ�·�Ա�� noun
��ܲ��ȴ��-��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ� adjective
quasi-��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ�·�� adverb
�ܲ�m��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ� adjective
un��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ�·�� adverb
un��·�ٱ�۾�·�ǳܲ�·�Ա�� noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mysterious¹

First recorded in 1610–20; mystery ¹ + -ous

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Synonym Study

Mysterious, inscrutable, mystical, obscure refer to that which is not easily comprehended or explained. That which is mysterious, by being unknown or puzzling, excites curiosity, amazement, or awe: a mysterious disease. Inscrutable applies to that which is impenetrable, so enigmatic that one cannot interpret its significance: an inscrutable smile. That which is mystical has a secret significance, such as that attaching to certain rites or signs: mystical symbols. That which is obscure is discovered or comprehended dimly or with difficulty: obscure motives.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The details of the killing are tragic, but don't seem mysterious.

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Vladimir Putin initially denied having anything to do with Russia's capture of Crimea in February 2014, when mysterious masked commandos in unidentified green uniforms seized the local parliament and fanned out across the peninsula.

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Meanwhile, Buscemi described Principal Dort as "a bit of a mysterious figure", adding: "Something about him is not right, but he loves the school and he has real outcast pride."

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A recent episode revealed the most mysterious and ambitious of them to have murdered her abusive father.

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They are reunited by a mysterious package that threatens to expose a dark secret they've suppressed for 27 years.

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Related Words

mystagogue mystery

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