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TAKE THE QUIZindecipherable
adjective
in·de·ci·pher·able
ˌin-di-ˈsī-f(ə-)rə-bəl 
: incapable of being deciphered
indecipherable writing
an indecipherable message
Example Sentences
His handwriting is almost indecipherable.
after so many years the paper label in the drawer of the antique desk is indecipherable
Recent Examples on the Web
To those like me, who have never been involved in maritime culture, the language of the Shipping Forecast can be indecipherable.
—
Grace Linden, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2023
Even small circuits built, or evolved, in this way are nearly indecipherable.
—Mark Changizi, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2011
This is the reboot at its most indecipherable, a miasma of reflexive nostalgia and boardroom guesswork.
—Elizabeth Nelson, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2023
Gen Z is not just indecipherable to foreign executives.
—Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022
The words are central yet nearly indecipherable, a visual metaphor for mystery and miscommunication.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2022
Ilchman points to the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, where the coffered wood ceiling, when freed of centuries of dust and grime, revealed extraordinary detail in the depictions of saints and prophets, previously indecipherable.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2022
The hallmarks of Sunday’s halftime performances were indecipherable lyrics and nonexistent melodies.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2022
At her memorial service, someone described Joan Didion as a rune: mysterious, remote, and indecipherable.
—Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022
See More
Grace Linden, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2023
Even small circuits built, or evolved, in this way are nearly indecipherable.
—Mark Changizi, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2011
This is the reboot at its most indecipherable, a miasma of reflexive nostalgia and boardroom guesswork.
—Elizabeth Nelson, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2023
Gen Z is not just indecipherable to foreign executives.
—Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022
The words are central yet nearly indecipherable, a visual metaphor for mystery and miscommunication.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2022
Ilchman points to the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, where the coffered wood ceiling, when freed of centuries of dust and grime, revealed extraordinary detail in the depictions of saints and prophets, previously indecipherable.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2022
The hallmarks of Sunday’s halftime performances were indecipherable lyrics and nonexistent melodies.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2022
At her memorial service, someone described Joan Didion as a rune: mysterious, remote, and indecipherable.
—Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indecipherable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1802, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near indecipherable
Cite this Entry
“Indecipherable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indecipherable. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.
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