mysterious

I

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Puzzling]

Syn. puzzling, enigmatic, perplexing, strange, baffling, inexplicable, insoluble, unaccountable, inscrutable, confounding, shrouded in mystery; see also difficult 2 , unnatural 1 .

2. [Concerning powers beyond those supposedly natural]

Syn. mystic, mystical, occult, mystifying, inscrutable, arcane, transcendental, cabalistic, spiritual, magical, abstruse, dark, veiled, strange, alchemistic, supernormal, necRomantic, astrological, unknowable, unfathomable, ineffable, esoteric, numinous, cryptic, oracular, unrevealed; see also magic 1 , secret 1 .

3. [Not generally known]

Syn. obscure, hidden, ambiguous; see obscure 1 , secret 1 .

Syn.- mysterious is applied to that which excites curiosity, wonder, etc. but is impossible or difficult to explain or solve [ a mysterious murder ] ; what is inscrutable is completely mysterious and altogether incapable of being searched out, interpreted, or understood [ the inscrutable ways of God ] ; mystical or mystic applies to that which is beyond ordinary human understanding or perception in connection with religious rites or spiritual experience

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) a.

unknowable, unexplainable, inexplicable, enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, unfathomable, secret, mystical, weird, arcane, esoteric, puzzling, dark.

ANT.: knowable, obvious, clear, explainable

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) adjective Difficult to explain or understand: arcane, cabalistic, cryptic, enigmatic, mystic, mystical, mystifying, occult, puzzling. See EXPLAIN, KNOWLEDGE.