as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
you're not the only one who finds Einstein's theory of relativity abstruse
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Recent Examples of abstruse
Kamala Harris’ penchant for strings of abstruse verbiage — popularly known as word salads — was one of several reasons her presidential campaign failed last year.
—
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Also, his estimate arose from abstruse economic formulas and lots of magic asterisks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Some questioned what the White House could gain from reviewing abstruse rules for nuclear safety.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
Into Breaking Its Own Rules To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Also, his estimate arose from abstruse economic formulas and lots of magic asterisks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Some questioned what the White House could gain from reviewing abstruse rules for nuclear safety.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
Into Breaking Its Own Rules To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstruse
Adjective
-
Sommaiy, a former monk, leads private meditation sessions and treks to remote forest temples where abbots still practice the esoteric art of Sak Yant Buddhist tattoos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, there’s a war on (Timothée Chalamet versus the esoteric performing arts) and the United States has made yet another military incursion into the Middle East.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Against a backdrop of social and geopolitical change, amid profound transformation both in Georgia and across the South Caucasus, their stories reveal how the will to dream, to resist, and to love becomes its own quiet blaze.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Because publishing—like many cultural industries—is navigating a period of profound change.—
Julie Finch,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstruse. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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