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
Unimaginative critics misunderstood how 300 abstracted the West’s war impulse, but now Snyder offers facile, abstruse justifications for his characters’ erotic and violent impulses.
—
Armond White, National Review, 9 Aug. 2024
In contrast to the abstruse beauty of the séance room, the primary bedroom and bath, which the homeowner calls the goddess suite, are all lightness and elegance, a pale-hued sanctuary that casts a spell of serenity tinged with decadence.
—Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024
Unfortunately, this condition exists because 'social welfare' is inherently an abstruse concept that continues to defy precise definition.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 21 May 2024
In fanciful and pun-filled narratives shared among one another and alluded to in outward-facing writing, Bourbaki’s collaborators embedded him in an elaborate mathematical-political universe filled with the abstruse terminology and concepts of modern theories.
—Michael Barany, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Armond White, National Review, 9 Aug. 2024
In contrast to the abstruse beauty of the séance room, the primary bedroom and bath, which the homeowner calls the goddess suite, are all lightness and elegance, a pale-hued sanctuary that casts a spell of serenity tinged with decadence.
—Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024
Unfortunately, this condition exists because 'social welfare' is inherently an abstruse concept that continues to defy precise definition.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 21 May 2024
In fanciful and pun-filled narratives shared among one another and alluded to in outward-facing writing, Bourbaki’s collaborators embedded him in an elaborate mathematical-political universe filled with the abstruse terminology and concepts of modern theories.
—Michael Barany, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2021
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstruse
Adjective
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Advocating for biological men in women’s locker rooms, while rooted in inclusivity, often feels esoteric to the typical voter.—
Nafees Alam,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2025
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Fertility data used to be a fairly esoteric concern.—
Noel King,
Vox,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This signals a profound reshaping of executive leadership.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Often, the impact of a group of like-minded people is more profound, more lasting, and more important than that of an individual.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstruse. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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