as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
you're not the only one who finds Einstein's theory of relativity abstruse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abstruse
Kamala Harris’ penchant for strings of abstruse verbiage — popularly known as word salads — was one of several reasons her presidential campaign failed last year.
—
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Also, his estimate arose from abstruse economic formulas and lots of magic asterisks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Some questioned what the White House could gain from reviewing abstruse rules for nuclear safety.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Also, his estimate arose from abstruse economic formulas and lots of magic asterisks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Some questioned what the White House could gain from reviewing abstruse rules for nuclear safety.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstruse
Adjective
-
With the Games comes the quadrennial tradition of casual sports fans becoming experts in esoteric sports—for a couple weeks, at least.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Much of the group’s cosmology derives from The Urantia Book, a mishmash of Christianity, metaphysics, and esoteric spirituality, that was purportedly written by celestial beings and published anonymously in 1955.—
Jane Borden,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For the journalist’s son, Anshul Chhatrapati, the verdict was a moment of profound relief after a fight extending nearly two decades.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cuddihy and his colleagues theorized that these regular encounters with fire—and their unwanted consequences—would inevitably have a profound effect on any species over tens of thousands of years.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstruse. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
