1
as in profound
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
metaphysics is such an esoteric subject that most people are content to leave it to the philosophers
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2
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
must have had some esoteric motive for leaving his art collection to a museum halfway around the globe
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Recent Examples of esoteric
These days the calling card of a serious bar program isn’t its most esoteric or social-media-friendly concoction but its subtly distinctive take on a 150-year-old formula.
—
Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 June 2025
At first, users had to type to do things with files and programs, using esoteric commands to navigate up and down the directory structures that contained them.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
After Congress reversed course on accountability in 2015, results for everyone got worse, even as progressive jurisdictions started adopting increasingly esoteric equity strategies.
—Matthew Yglesias, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
Of course, Yamagata is a long way to go just to peep some jellyfish, so combine a visit with the misty temples of nearby Dewa Sanzan, three mountains sacred to the ascetics of the esoteric Shugendo religion.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 June 2025
At first, users had to type to do things with files and programs, using esoteric commands to navigate up and down the directory structures that contained them.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
After Congress reversed course on accountability in 2015, results for everyone got worse, even as progressive jurisdictions started adopting increasingly esoteric equity strategies.
—Matthew Yglesias, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
Of course, Yamagata is a long way to go just to peep some jellyfish, so combine a visit with the misty temples of nearby Dewa Sanzan, three mountains sacred to the ascetics of the esoteric Shugendo religion.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
Adjective
-
In 2012, Phyllis Barkman Ferrell experienced a profound irony.—
Juergen Eckhardt,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Close to a third lose their job, and the social isolation can be profound.—
April Dembosky,
NPR,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Instead of attempting to gain public trust through transparency, Musk’s company is currently pressing federal regulators to bury its robotaxi safety record, claiming the data must remain confidential for business reasons.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
20 July 2025
-
State police also launched an internal probe into the lead homicide detective, Michael Proctor, who was fired for sharing confidential information with civilians outside of law enforcement and drinking on the job.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Spelman will be cremated in a private ceremony Thursday, his family said.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
The works on display once formed the largest private collection in the country, but now belong to the National Gallery of Iceland.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
By law, grand jury testimony is kept secret, except in matters of national security or counterintelligence, neither of which applies in this case.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
22 July 2025
-
Grand jury proceedings are typically secret, and files from them can only be released in limited circumstances.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
His second time in power was also marked by ongoing and largely undisclosed health problems.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
13 July 2025
-
Though exact financial damages remain undisclosed, there are likely costs associated with reader refunds, extensive corrections and diminished advertiser confidence.—
Jonathan Gillham,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Esoteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esoteric. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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