Definition of ENIGMATIC

Choose the Right Synonym for enigmatic

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge. obscure poems dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion. muttered dark hints of revenge vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration. a vague sense of obligation enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality. enigmatic occult writings cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. cryptic hints of hidden treasure ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation. an ambiguous directive equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

The Origin of Enigmatic Isn't a Mystery

When it comes to things that aren't clearly understandable, you have a wide range of word choices, including dark, enigmatic, cryptic, and equivocal. Of these, dark is the most sinister, implying an imperfect or clouded revelation, often with ominous overtones. Enigmatic (which traces back to Greek ainissesthai, meaning "to speak in riddles") emphasizes a puzzling, mystifying quality, whereas cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. Equivocal is the best choice for language that is left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

Examples of enigmatic in a Sentence

Space seethes with an enormous enigmatic energy, and, each second, trillions of cubic light-years more of it materializes from nothingness. — Bob Berman, Astronomy, November 2007 You'll recognize them by their enigmatic smile and faraway look as they jog, skate, commute, or wander the aisles of the supermarket. — Consumer Reports, December 2005 Despite all that has been written—and surmised—about him, Bill Gates remains the enigmatic ringmaster of the digital circus. — J. D. Reed, People, 15 Mar. 1999 the discovery of the abandoned ship in mid ocean remains one of the most enigmatic episodes in seafaring history the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile

Recent Examples on the Web

Liverpool were defeated 3-1 against Real Madrid in the Champions League Final on Saturday but their enigmatic manager Jurgen Klopp has remained his usual self despite the disappointing result. — SI.com, "WATCH: Jurgen Klopp Celebrates With Liverpool Fans After UCL Defeat," 27 May 2018 That deal was made possible in part by a recent $4.4 billion investment from SoftBank, the Japanese technology group led by the enigmatic billionaire Masayoshi Son. — David Gelles, New York Times, "The WeWork Manifesto: First, Office Space. Next, the World.," 17 Feb. 2018 On a rainy day men wore winter-weight burnooses with the large hoods drawn up—enigmatic Jedi-like figures in the medina's alleyways. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "T&C Travel: Best of Morocco," 30 Mar. 2015 But Hold the Dark is Saulnier’s most enigmatic and meditative film to date. — Tasha Robinson, The Verge, "Netflix’s Hold the Dark throws Jeffrey Wright to the wolves," 28 Sep. 2018 Dennis Davern, the boat captain who was there on the night Natalie Wood died, is speaking out about the enigmatic death. — Mariah Haas, Fox News, "Natalie Wood's yacht captain alleges Robert Wagner held him 'hostage'," 26 Sep. 2018 Set in postwar England, the story begins in 1945 with a 14-year-old boy who has been left, along with his older sister, in the care of two enigmatic London criminal types: the Moth and the Darter. — WSJ, "Who Read What in 2018: Fiction and Literature," 10 Dec. 2018 Archaeologists are piecing together more details about how the Rapanui people once erected the formerly enigmatic stone statues, or moai. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "How did Easter Islanders survive without wells or streams?," 17 Oct. 2018 Fans of the original series, which took the world by storm in the 1970s, will likely point out that there was originally just one Bosley, the enigmatic head of the show’s fictional detective agency. — Dan Barna, Teen Vogue, "Noah Centineo Will Star in the "Charlie's Angels" Reboot," 2 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enigmatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.