Meaning & use
demystify
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To explain something confusing or intimidating so that it seems clear and less mysterious.
Grammar: Takes an object: demystify the process.
Patterns
- demystify something for someone
- demystify something
The workshop aims to demystify taxes for first-time filers.
A good teacher can demystify even the hardest math.
The guide demystifies the wine list for beginners.
verbtransitiveformal
To take away the special aura or secrecy that makes something seem awe-inspiring or beyond question.
Grammar: Often applied to institutions or famous people.
Patterns
- demystify an institution
- demystify a person
The documentary demystifies the life of the famous painter.
Critics said the memoir demystified the royal family.
Open court sessions demystify the legal system.
Word forms
| third person singular | demystifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | demystified |
| past participle | demystified |
| -ing form | demystifying |
Common combinations
- demystify the process
- The booklet is meant to demystify the process of buying a home.
- demystify science
- He wrote books to demystify science for general readers.
- help demystify
- Videos can help demystify cooking.
- demystify technology
- Her course aims to demystify technology for older adults.
- attempt to demystify
- The article attempts to demystify the stock market.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clarify
- Clarify means to make clear and can apply to any unclear point, not just mysterious or intimidating ones.
- explain
- Explain is the plain word and does not suggest removing an air of mystery.
- simplify
- Simplify means to make easier by cutting detail, whereas demystify keeps the substance and removes the fear.
- unravel
- Unravel is used for solving a tangled puzzle step by step, and suggests detective work.
Opposites
Word family
- mystify verb
- to confuse or puzzle
- demystification noun
- the act of removing mystery
- mystery noun
- something hard to explain
- mystique noun
- an aura of mystery or glamour
- mysterious adjective
- hard to explain or understand
Practice
The author's goal was to ___ economics so that anyone could follow it.
Choose one answer.
Demystify means to make something confusing seem clear. Mystify and complicate do the opposite, and glorify means to praise.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “demystify”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.