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Mysterious vs Inscrutable - What's the difference?

mysterious | inscrutable |

As adjectives the difference between mysterious and inscrutable

is that mysterious is of unknown origin while inscrutable is difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom, or interpret.

As a noun inscrutable is

one who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc. that cannot be comprehended.

mysterious

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of unknown origin.
    • He received a mysterious phone call this morning.
  • Having unknown qualities.
    • Our boss is a mysterious man who hardly ever meets with us.
  • Difficult to understand.
    • Why he left without saying goodbye is quite mysterious .
  • Deliberately evasive or enigmatic.
    • Stop being mysterious and just tell me what you want.

    Derived terms

    * mysteriously * mysteriousness

    Related terms

    * mystery

    inscrutable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom or interpret.
    • His inscrutable theories would years later become the foundation of a whole new science.
  • * 2007 , Tracy Jordan'' (Tracy Morgan), ''30 Rock :
    • She called my vanity license plate inscrutable ! 'ICU81MI'? Hilarious!

    Synonyms

    * (difficult to comprehend) ineffable

    Derived terms

    * inscrutability * inscrutableness * inscrutably

    See also

    * inexplorable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc. that cannot be comprehended.