1
: blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light : exhibiting opacity (see opacity sense 1)
2
a
: hard to understand or explain
opaque prose
b
opaque
noun
opaquely
adverb
opaqueness
noun
Examples of opaque in a Sentence
In the opening hour, a group of strangers receive a maddeningly opaque cell-phone summons to join a secret cross-country race with a $32 million prize. The thing is, the summons can also be a threat (one competitor's wife is possibly being held captive), and the consequences of falling behind are murderous.
—
Tom Gliatto, People, 23 Apr. 2007
The reality facing Rory Stewart was that he was sent into a collapsed rural region in a country of which he knew almost nothing, and in which he had to find his way through a maze of opaque tribal and religious relationships.
—Robert Skidelsky, New York Review of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
Arborio rice, the kind that grows in the Po Valley and gave rise to the wonderful dish risotto, has a tiny opaque white pearl on the inside that remains al dente, and starch on the outside that the grains release during cooking, making a creamy sauce.
—Corby Kummer, Atlantic, March 1993
the opaque water of the muddy river
somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics
Tom Gliatto, People, 23 Apr. 2007
The reality facing Rory Stewart was that he was sent into a collapsed rural region in a country of which he knew almost nothing, and in which he had to find his way through a maze of opaque tribal and religious relationships.
—Robert Skidelsky, New York Review of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
Arborio rice, the kind that grows in the Po Valley and gave rise to the wonderful dish risotto, has a tiny opaque white pearl on the inside that remains al dente, and starch on the outside that the grains release during cooking, making a creamy sauce.
—Corby Kummer, Atlantic, March 1993
the opaque water of the muddy river
somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics
Recent Examples on the Web
For fish, cook to 145°F or until the flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork, according to safe cooking temperature charts from the CDC and USDA.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 May 2025
In 2022, lawmakers made those searches largely opaque by shielding finalists’ names from public view until 21 days before a hire is made.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
James’s writing can be opaque, but in a way that mirrors human nature.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
The tankers, many with opaque ownership structures, transport Russian oil for export to avoid Western sanctions.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for opaque
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 May 2025
In 2022, lawmakers made those searches largely opaque by shielding finalists’ names from public view until 21 days before a hire is made.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
James’s writing can be opaque, but in a way that mirrors human nature.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
The tankers, many with opaque ownership structures, transport Russian oil for export to avoid Western sanctions.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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