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.

A nameless handyman with a mysterious past that receives, and requires, no explanation, Miao’s face is plenty expressive.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Rebecca Hall leads this five-part adaptation of the Jordan Tannahill novel about a woman beset by a mysterious and ever-present sound.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 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

Against the backdrop of these frequent price fluctuations, speculation continues about the true identity of Bitcoin's mysterious inventor known only as Satoshi Nakamoto.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

When he pushed his snout through a gap, he was able to glimpse who was talking in that mysterious language.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Vocabulary lists containing mysterious

Purple Hibiscus

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Schooled

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