mysterious
adjective
mys·te·ri·ous
mi-ˈstir-ē-əs 
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting mystery
the mysterious ways of God
b
: exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify : mystifying
heard a mysterious noise
a mysterious stranger
a mysterious plane crash
a mysterious illness
2
: stirred by or attracted to the inexplicable
… to help a mysterious wizard … ward off the end of the world …—
Robert Houston
Robert Houston
mysteriousness
noun
Synonyms of mysterious
Examples of mysterious in a Sentence
the mysterious ways of nature
We heard a mysterious noise outside our tent.
He died under mysterious circumstances.
A mysterious illness has been spreading through the city.
There's something mysterious about that old woman.
Her behavior was very mysterious.
Recent Examples on the Web
This complex of Mayan vestiges serves as a testament to the mysterious and unexplainable engineering feats of this ancient civilization.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Howard is among the cast of Anything But Ghosts, the mysterious upcoming feature from writer-director Curry Barker and writer-star Cooper Tomlinson that wrapped production earlier this month.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
The Last House is about a family of four who are suddenly sealed inside their home with no way out and must work together to survive against both their dwindling resources and the mysterious, looming threat keeping them trapped.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
When a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, though, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
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Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Howard is among the cast of Anything But Ghosts, the mysterious upcoming feature from writer-director Curry Barker and writer-star Cooper Tomlinson that wrapped production earlier this month.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
The Last House is about a family of four who are suddenly sealed inside their home with no way out and must work together to survive against both their dwindling resources and the mysterious, looming threat keeping them trapped.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
When a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, though, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mysterious
Cite this Entry
“Mysterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mysterious. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mysterious
adjective
mys·te·ri·ous
mis-ˈtir-ē-əs
: containing, suggesting, or presenting a mystery
mysterious noises
also
: difficult or impossible to understand
the mysterious ways of nature
mysteriously
adverb
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