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
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
To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
The result is a topsy-turvy movie that is also spiritually profound in ways that the Marvel and DC franchises don’t dare but that became abstruse and chaotic in Snyder’s many Rebel Moon iterations.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
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
To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
The result is a topsy-turvy movie that is also spiritually profound in ways that the Marvel and DC franchises don’t dare but that became abstruse and chaotic in Snyder’s many Rebel Moon iterations.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstruse
Adjective
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The news flew mostly under the radar, in part because of the esoteric nature of the OCC.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Still, their esoteric acid rock was revered and adored by their huge and loyal fanbase, known as Deadheads.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Its most profound feature is the use of the actual 70-minute audio recording of Hind’s phone calls to the dispatchers.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
11 Jan. 2026
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After a full year without alcohol, Chiang noted that health improvements are more profound.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstruse. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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