1
as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
grammatical rules that seem arcane to generations of students who were never taught grammar in the first place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the rebate form uses arcane language, the only purpose of which seems to be to disqualify buyers from actually getting a rebate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
my predecessor in this job obviously had his own arcane system for filing things, and so I haven't a clue as to where anything is
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arcane
The late-night vote series in the Senate this week was part of an arcane, complicated process called budget reconciliation that GOP leaders are using to try to fund the two immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats continue to block.
—
ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Taps dispense arcane suds, like a seasonal-favorite watermelon gose.
—Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the only way to reform Colorado’s arcane property tax system will be by citizen initiative or constitutional amendments submitted directly to the voters.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
The problem, apart from perennial budget pressures, is that interest in election mechanics — a technical and arcane subject if ever there was one — is episodic and fleeting.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arcane
ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Taps dispense arcane suds, like a seasonal-favorite watermelon gose.
—Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the only way to reform Colorado’s arcane property tax system will be by citizen initiative or constitutional amendments submitted directly to the voters.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
The problem, apart from perennial budget pressures, is that interest in election mechanics — a technical and arcane subject if ever there was one — is episodic and fleeting.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arcane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcane
Adjective
-
Much the same could be said of Amalia’s esoteric delusions.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
-
There’s almost nothing depicted in his songwriting that his esoteric sampling and production doesn’t communicate better.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Thousands of fans have also been engaging with Nikki’s increasingly obsessive, unsettling texts, voice notes and special deliveries after encountering cryptic billboards across Los Angeles and New York, each featuring her obsessive messages alongside a phone number inviting them to reach out.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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The film, which stars Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker tasked with revamping a tired summer camp horror franchise with its cryptic lead played by Gillian Anderson in tow, is set to make its way to theaters this August.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
Suzanne is quite a mysterious character.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Judaism has profound ethics and principles of justice for all.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
Nowhere was his impact more profound than in journalism with the launch of CNN.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Text messages in court records show a brief and ambiguous exchange between McCluskie and Williamson that backs that up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The apparent conflict highlights the ambiguous rules around recall status and its relevance in a trial that’s been peppered with globe-trotting billionaires.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
District leaders make up the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s obscure but powerful governing body that largely controls selecting judges, party priorities, and spending.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
Joined by her septet and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Reineke, Joy performed a medley of tunes — her own originals as well as standards and more obscure selections within the vocal jazz canon — to rapturous applause.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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There was something uncanny about the rooms, though.—
Francesco Pacifico,
The Dial,
12 May 2026
-
Ariana Madix is set to return as host of the main show, and the parallels with Miller are uncanny.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arcane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcane. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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