What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mystically
Example
The ancient ruins were shrouded in mysticism and legends. [mysticism: noun]
Example
The guru spoke mystically about the power of meditation. [mystically: adverb]
cryptically
Example
The message was written cryptically, making it hard to decipher. [cryptically: adverb]
Example
The detective spoke cryptically about the case, leaving us all confused. [cryptic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cryptically is more commonly used than mystically in everyday language. Cryptically is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mystically is less common and is typically associated with spiritual or supernatural experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mystically and cryptically?
Both mystically and cryptically can be used in formal and informal contexts, but cryptically is more commonly used in both settings.