1
: blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light : exhibiting opacity
opaque glass
the opaque water of the muddy river
(see opacity sense 1)
2
a
: hard to understand or explain
opaque prose
b
archaic
: obtuse, thickheaded
opaque
noun
opaquely
adverb
opaqueness
noun
Synonyms of opaque
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
Locals say the permission process is opaque, and many feel the decision to give them access to their own land is arbitrary.
—Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026
The relationship dynamics aren’t opaque or unknowable.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Contract cities cannot be expected to backfill broader County budget challenges through opaque overhead charges that grow faster than the cost of actual policing.
—Rajiv Bhateja, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
The elbow-length collared shirt featured a plunging neckline and an opaque panel running down the very middle of her chest, leaving her bare sides and back covered in just the see-through material.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opaque
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Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026
The relationship dynamics aren’t opaque or unknowable.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Contract cities cannot be expected to backfill broader County budget challenges through opaque overhead charges that grow faster than the cost of actual policing.
—Rajiv Bhateja, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
The elbow-length collared shirt featured a plunging neckline and an opaque panel running down the very middle of her chest, leaving her bare sides and back covered in just the see-through material.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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