Mystifyingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that causes confusion or bafflement about something that is difficult to understand or explain
2. With a quality that elicits puzzlement or intrigue, making something hard to comprehend or interpret
3. In a manner that leaves one in a state of wonder or uncertainty regarding the nature or meaning of a subject

Etymology: "Mystifyingly" is an inflected-style adverb built from the adjective "mystifying" plus the suffix "-ly", which turns an adjective into an adverb describing how something is done. The adjective itself comes from "mystify," a verb meaning to bewilder or puzzle someone, to which the "-ying" ending gives the sense of something that produces that effect. The adverb therefore describes an action carried out in a way that leaves people baffled. The suffix has a long ancestry. It goes back to a Proto-Germanic element meaning "body" or "form" (the root *leyg- is linked to the idea of shape), which combined with another element to form a word meaning "of the same form or kind as." Over the centuries this developed into Old English "-līce," which was worn down to Middle English "-ly," the ending English speakers now attach to countless adjectives.

Synonyms: enigmatically, confusingly, bewilderingly, puzzlingly, perplexingly

Antonyms: clearly, obviously, evidently, simply, straightforwardly