1
as in profound
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
metaphysics is such an esoteric subject that most people are content to leave it to the philosophers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
must have had some esoteric motive for leaving his art collection to a museum halfway around the globe
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of esoteric
Since at least 1998’s Music Has the Right to Children, brothers Marcus Eoin and Michael Sandison have notoriously laced their music with esoteric details that send devoted fans spiraling down rabbit holes, and perhaps no symbol holds a more privileged position in their lore than the hexagon.
—
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Naturally, with different blends and sometimes esoteric components, there’s quite a bit of variance from one Little Book to the next.
—David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Those users aren’t equipped with advanced, expensive and sometimes esoteric computing hardware.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
These projects might seem regional and the structures a little esoteric, but the hope is that figuring out the right structure and then scaling it will unlock projects across Asia and ultimately the world.
—Justin Worland, Time, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Naturally, with different blends and sometimes esoteric components, there’s quite a bit of variance from one Little Book to the next.
—David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Those users aren’t equipped with advanced, expensive and sometimes esoteric computing hardware.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
These projects might seem regional and the structures a little esoteric, but the hope is that figuring out the right structure and then scaling it will unlock projects across Asia and ultimately the world.
—Justin Worland, Time, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
Adjective
-
The event featured a panel discussion with six original members of the Freedom House staff, which had a profound effect on those in attendance.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
The next fifty years will bring equally profound changes.—
Kris Putnam-Walkerly,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Tehran has not allowed the IAEA access to its nuclear facilities bombed by Israel and the United States during a 12-day war in June 2025, according to a confidential IAEA report circulated to member states and seen by AP in February.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Together, the groups provide policy education, confidential support, community programming and connections to campus resources.—
Valentina Toro,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to Mercy Fash and Emani Campbell’s emerging scholarly research at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, this intersection is worthy of greater attention because of an exacerbated threat that could severely harm Black women.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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The women had been close friends while studying for their doctorates some years earlier, but Catherine has since grown resentful of Leonora’s career, and dismissive of women whose scholarly ambitions come before marital subservience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
The attack struck a private home, an energy infrastructure facility, a hangar, and oil facilities in both the Kyiv and Poltava regions, according to Ukrainian and Russian authorities.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
The Blue Lagoon purchased the property and began welcoming guests in 2023 across a hotel, a set of private lodges, huts, a hostel, and a campsite.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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As Ruth’s secret grandchild, Evan is the last of the Warren bloodline, assuming Rosemary’s (Dale Dickey) genealogy research was accurate, and his death would end the curse for good.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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For one Washington baker, the secret ingredient to his recent business success has been his three young kids.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer Salyer, who sustained an undisclosed injury during Miami’s minicamp and sat out the final week of the offseason program, is critical to the offensive line’s success because this 6-4, 325-pounder appears to be the top backup at offensive guard and tackle.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
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The bacterium Rickettsia lanei was detected in a person who was likely infected while traveling in Northern California and was hospitalized for an undisclosed period before being released, according to the CDPH.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Esoteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esoteric. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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