Synonyms of mysterious
85 similar words · 4 opposite words
Another word for mysterious is mystic. Other synonyms of mysterious are arcane, inexplicable, obscure, unknowable and enigmatic. The opposite of mysterious is unambiguous.
Synonyms and similar words for mysterious
adjectiveOf unknown origin.
- untraceableNot able to be traced or tracked down.
adjectiveDifficult to understand.
- abstruseDifficult to comprehend or understand; obscure.
- Chinese
- denseObscure or difficult to understand.
- enigmaticMysterious.
- fathomless
- bottomless
- Greek
- inapprehensibleThat cannot be apprehended; not apprehensible to or graspable by either body or mind.
- incognizableNot cognizable; incapable of being recognised.
- incomprehensible
- ineffable
- inenubilable formal, literaryInexplicable, mysterious, unclear.
- inexplicableImpossible to explain; not easily accounted for.
- impenetrableIncomprehensible; fathomless; inscrutable.
- insensibleUnable to be understood; unintelligible.
- inscrutableDifficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom, or interpret.
- insolubleThat cannot be explained.
- insolvable
- nonunderstandableNot understandable.
- obscureDifficult to understand; abstruse.
- tenebrose figurativelyObscure; obtuse; incomprehensible.
- thickDifficult to understand, or poorly articulated.
- undecipherableNot easily deciphered; difficult to read.
- undiscoverable
- unexplainableThat doesn't have a known or readily available explanation.
- unfathomableImpossible to grasp the extent of, or to fully know or understand.
- ungraspable
- unintelligibleNot intelligible; unable to be understood.
- unknowableNot knowable; not able to be known.
- ununderstandableNot understandable; that cannot be understood.
- retruse obsolete
adjectiveDeliberately evasive or enigmatic.
- behind the scenes
- catlike
- backroom
- backstairs
- stealth slang
- clandestine
- cloak-and-daggerMarked by menacing furtive secrecy, often with a melodramatic tint or espionage involved.
- concealedHidden.
- confidential
- covert
- deep-laidSecret and carefully planned.
- dernHidden; secret; private.
- disguised
- furtive
- huggermugger
- hush-hushSecret, not spoken of (or spoken of only in hushed whispers between insiders).
- inconspicuous
- incognitoWithout being known; in an assumed character, or under an assumed title; in disguise.
- low profileAn intentionally furtive position as to not arouse suspicion or catch attention.
- lurksomeCharacterised or marked by lurking; lurky.
- lurkyTending to lurk; given to or indicative of lurking.
- mousy
- obfuscated
- off-the-books
- on the down-low
- on the slySlyly, in an inconspicuous manner, so as not to be seen; secretly; stealthily.
- secret
- secretive
- slinky
- sly
- sneaky
- stealthyCharacterized by or resembling stealth or secrecy.
- sub rosa
- surreptitiousStealthy, furtive, well hidden, covert (especially movements).
- under-the-table
- under the radarWithout attracting notice; in an undetected or secretive manner.
- under wraps
- undercover
- underground
- unperceivedNot perceived.
adjectiveMore synonyms
- arcaneObscure, mysterious.
- cryptic
- ill-defined
- mysteriosoMysterious.
- mysticMysterious and strange; arcane, obscure or enigmatic.
- runishMysterious; strange.
- sibyllineOccult, mysterious.
- systerious
- undetermined
- mysterial obsoleteMysterious.
Opposite of mysterious
adjectiveMore antonyms
- known
- unambiguousClear, and having no uncertainty or ambiguity.
- unmysteriousNot mysterious.
- well-defined
Meaning of mysterious
- adjective Of unknown origin.
- adjective Having unknown qualities.
- adjective Difficult to understand.
mysterious in other languages
Questions about synonyms of mysterious
- What is another word for mysterious?
- Mysterious has 85 synonyms on Word.ws, such as mystic, arcane, inexplicable, obscure, unknowable, enigmatic, inscrutable and mysterioso.
- What is the opposite of mysterious?
- The opposite of mysterious is unambiguous. Other antonyms of mysterious are known.
- What does mysterious mean?
- Mysterious means of unknown origin.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: mysterious (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of mysterious.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/mysterious. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.