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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abstruse
However, at the OXY ARTS gallery in Los Angeles, that abstruse portrait of Sagittarius A* looks a little different.
—
Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Tunnelling, meanwhile, is an abstruse turn on a classic skill exemplified by the finest Dodger pitcher of them all, Sandy Koufax.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
At the heart of the progress has been von Neumann’s abstruse research.
—Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Tunnelling, meanwhile, is an abstruse turn on a classic skill exemplified by the finest Dodger pitcher of them all, Sandy Koufax.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
At the heart of the progress has been von Neumann’s abstruse research.
—Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstruse
Adjective
-
Thus began an extended conversation about esoteric sounds that has continued to this day.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
-
These esoteric Calabi-Yau structures, formerly on the frontier of theoretical physics, could be just the beginning.—
Ramin Skibba,
Scientific American,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
During summer break, continuing that practice can have a profound impact on reading efficiency for students, preventing some of the reading loss that happens during summer break.—
Jerald McNair,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2025
-
The main location held profound personal significance for Chan.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstruse. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share