Mystify vs. Perplex — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on December 11, 2023
Mystify often implies a sense of enchanting mystery or confusion, while perplex generally refers to a state of puzzlement or bewilderment due to complexity.
Difference Between Mystify and Perplex
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mystify often carries a connotation of creating a sense of wonder or mystery. It suggests an almost magical confusion, where something is not just puzzling but also intriguing. Perplex, on the other hand, denotes a more straightforward state of confusion or bewilderment, often due to something being complicated or difficult to understand.
Mystify can imply a deliberate action to make something mysterious or difficult to comprehend. In literature, a writer might mystify readers with a complex plot. Perplex, in contrast, tends to arise from the inherent nature of something being confusing, as in a perplexing problem in mathematics.
In emotional response, mystify can evoke a sense of awe or fascination, even as it confuses. For example, a magician's act may mystify the audience. Perplex, however, is more likely to provoke frustration or irritation, as when one is perplexed by a set of incomplete instructions.
In usage, mystify can also mean to bewitch or enchant. In a broader sense, it can refer to something that captures imagination. Perplex does not carry these connotations; it is more neutral and focuses purely on the aspect of being puzzled or confused by complexity.
Comparison Chart
Connotation
Enchanting, magical confusion
Straightforward bewilderment
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Emotional Response
Awe, fascination
Frustration, irritation
Deliberateness
Often implies intentional action
Arises from complexity itself
Usage in Literature
Used to create intrigue
Used to depict complexity
Broader Meaning
Can imply enchantment
Purely about confusion
Compare with Definitions
Mystify
To make mysterious or obscure
The ancient symbols mystified the archaeologists.
Perplex
To bewilder with complexity
The intricate plot of the novel perplexed its readers.
Mystify
To bewilder with complexity
The abstract painting mystified its viewers.
Perplex
To complicate or entangle
The new regulations perplexed the small business owners.
Mystify
To complicate unnecessarily
The author's writing style mystified the simple story.
Perplex
To confound or baffle
The sudden change in plans perplexed the team.
Mystify
To confuse deliberately
The spy mystified his pursuers with false trails.
Perplex
To confuse or trouble with uncertainty or doubt.
Mystify
To enchant or bewitch
The magician's performance mystified the audience.
Perplex
To make confusedly intricate; complicate
Poorly informed opinions that only perplex the subject.
Mystify
To confuse or bewilder.
Perplex
(transitive) To cause to feel baffled; to puzzle.
Mystify
To make obscure or mysterious
"What had been for ages mundane would soon become mystified in the minds of most Americans" (Ann Vileisis).
Perplex
(transitive) To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated.
Mystify
(transitive) To thoroughly confuse, befuddle, or bewilder.
Solar eclipses continued to mystify ancient humans for thousands of years.
Perplex
To plague; to vex; to torment.
Mystify
To involve in mystery; to make obscure or difficult to understand; as, to mystify a passage of Scripture.
Perplex
(obsolete) intricate; difficult
Mystify
To perplex the mind of; to puzzle; to impose upon the credulity of; to baffle; as, to mystify an opponent.
He took undue advantage of his credulity and mystified him exceedingly.
Perplex
(obsolete) A difficulty.
Mystify
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Perplex
To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts.
No artful wildness to perplex the scene.
What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view.
Mystify
Make mysterious;
Mystify the story
Perplex
To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety.
We are perplexed, but not in despair.
We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind.
Perplex
To plague; to vex; to tormen.
Perplex
Intricate; difficult.
Perplex
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Perplex
Make more complicated;
There was a new development that complicated the matter
Perplex
To cause puzzlement or confusion
The difficult puzzle perplexed the students.
Perplex
To frustrate with difficulty
The advanced math problem perplexed even the brightest student.
Common Curiosities
What is the primary use of perplex?
Perplex is primarily used to describe a state of confusion or bewilderment due to complexity or difficulty.
Can mystify have a positive connotation?
Yes, mystify can have a positive connotation, implying enchantment or fascination.
What does mystify mean?
Mystify means to make something mysterious, obscure, or difficult to understand.
Can mystify be used intentionally?
Yes, one can intentionally mystify others, often to create intrigue or conceal information.
Is perplex always negative?
Not always, but perplex often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation of frustration or irritation.
Is perplex used to describe complexity?
Yes, perplex is often used to describe situations, problems, or subjects that are complex and confusing.
Can mystify refer to enchantment?
Yes, mystify can refer to enchanting or bewitching someone or something.
Is mystify used in literature?
Yes, mystify is commonly used in literature to create a sense of mystery or intrigue.
Can perplex describe emotional states?
Yes, perplex can describe an emotional state of confusion or puzzlement.
Can mystify be used in a magical context?
Yes, mystify is often used in contexts involving magic or enchantment.
Does perplex imply intention?
No, perplex usually refers to a natural state of confusion without implying intention.
Are there synonyms for mystify?
Yes, synonyms include bewilder, confound, puzzle, and enchant.
Can both words be used interchangeably?
While they can be similar, their nuances often make them not perfectly interchangeable.
Is perplex more commonly used in academic contexts?
Yes, perplex is often used in academic or formal contexts to describe complex or confusing subjects.
What are some synonyms for perplex?
Synonyms include confuse, baffle, befuddle, and puzzle.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
