as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the exact reason for the change in plans is ambiguous, but I suspect it has something to do with money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
ambiguous information
ambivalent information
uncertain information
vague information
unclear information
inconclusive information
an ambiguous attitude
an ambivalent attitude
an enigmatic attitude
an ambient attitude
an elusive attitude
an indecisive attitude
an ambiguous legacy
a mixed legacy
a controversial legacy
a questionable legacy
a contradictory legacy
an uncertain legacy
an ambiguous statement
a vague statement
a nebulous statement
a mysterious statement
a cryptic statement
an imprecise statement
an ambiguous position
an indeterminable position
an unspecified position
an indecisive position
an undefined position
an uncertain position
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 ambiguous
China, always an ambiguous member of this group, has staked its claim by hosting numerous summits for its global South counterparts.
—
Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Here's where things get hazy in the timeline as Doom's (2016) lore was loose and its connections to the previous games ambiguous.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2025
For generations, Congress has written vague regulations and ambiguous appropriations, which have channeled de facto legislative power to the president.
—Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Religion is the topic most likely to cause offense in India today, though the code is ambiguous on this point too.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambiguous
Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Here's where things get hazy in the timeline as Doom's (2016) lore was loose and its connections to the previous games ambiguous.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2025
For generations, Congress has written vague regulations and ambiguous appropriations, which have channeled de facto legislative power to the president.
—Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Religion is the topic most likely to cause offense in India today, though the code is ambiguous on this point too.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ambiguous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambiguous
Adjective
-
When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to ‘find the accountant,’ Wolff is compelled to solve the case.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Despite the cryptic message, many fans figured out where to find the singer and showed up in droves, forcing Lorde to initially cancel her appearance.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That included obscure cold opens and immersive world-building.—
Adelle Platon,
VIBE.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
But his recitation of Black Americans’ names also revealed that they were heavily weighted toward athletes and performers like Jackie Robinson and Aretha Franklin (on a list that includes relatively obscure conservative white thinkers such as Whittaker Chambers and Clare Boothe Luce).—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These enigmatic paintings are inspired by Edvard Munch and William Blake: After Munch: Less is Known than People Think, 2023, and After Blake: Less is Known than People Think, 2024, in which astronomy, history and geography cross paths with spirituality, according to the artist.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Other notable roles for Chastain include playing astronaut Melissa Lewis in The Martian, the enigmatic Murph in Interstellar and real-life figure Molly Bloom in Molly’s Game.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead of vague goals, such as align with human values, researchers and developers can talk about specific contexts and roles for AI more clearly.—
Aidan Kierans,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, those professions grew because the accountant must also talk to clients, ask them questions, make judgement calls about sometimes vague tax code interpretations and execute numerous other judgements on a daily basis.—
Ismail Amla,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Some people are already well aware of Norse Atlantic, despite the company’s somewhat mysterious profile.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
She's just been visited by a mysterious mate named Donnie, who claims to be a friend of Harry's.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Why the contract was posted and then canceled is unclear.—
Jeff Ernsthausen,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The magnitude of the pause was unclear, the analysts said, but the comments raised fears that Amazon was doing something similar to Microsoft’s recent move to pull back on some early stage projects.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But the picture of the future is still murky amid economic uncertainty.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The two friends straight-lined it down the hill, crossing the freezing murky puddle.—
Anna Fiorentino,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ambiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambiguous. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share