Synonyms of ambiguous

ambiguous

adjective

am-ˈbi-gyə-wəs 

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

• cryptic
• obscure
• dark
• enigmatic
• enigmatical
• vague
• mysterious
• unclear
• murky
• mystic
• esoteric
• questionable
• nebulous
• equivocal
• opaque
• inscrutable
• uncertain
• confusing
• elliptic
• occult
• Delphic
• arcane
• deep
• elliptical
• complicated
• obscurant
• fuliginous
• weird
• double-edged
• indistinct
• fuzzy
• undefined
• uncanny
• difficult
• eerie
• abstruse
• indirect
• hazy
• undetermined
• recondite
• incomprehensible
• shadowy
• indefinite
• disguised
• inexact
• inexplicable
• puzzling
• complex
• noncommittal
• faint
• foggy
• muddy
• indecipherable
• shrouded
• perplexing
• indistinguishable
• clouded
• shaded
• misty
• concealed
• masked
• cloaked
• inexplicit
• baffling
• eery
• unknowable
• invisible
• intangible
• obfuscatory
• dim
• unanswerable
• cloudy
• confounding
• bewildering
• impenetrable
• mystifying
• sphinxlike
• obtuse
• obscurantic
• impalpable
• inappreciable
• shadowlike
• unfathomable
• circuitous
• beclouded
• befogged
• roundabout
• bedimmed
• obnubilated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obvious
• clear
• unambiguous
• unequivocal
• plain
• understandable
• accessible
• distinct
• certain
• intelligible
• evident
• comprehensible
• legible
• sure
• strong
• bright
• defined
• direct
• explicit
• knowable
• nonambiguous
• firm
• definite
• determined
• straightforward
• exact
• pellucid
• fathomable
• self-explanatory
• self-evident
• visible
• tangible
• appreciable
• unmistakable
• palpable
• blatant
• patent

Try This Instead

For

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ambiguous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ambiguous are cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When can cryptic be used instead of ambiguous?

The words cryptic and ambiguous can be used in similar contexts, but cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When would dark be a good substitute for ambiguous?

The words dark and ambiguous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When is it sensible to use enigmatic instead of ambiguous?

The synonyms enigmatic and ambiguous are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When could equivocal be used to replace ambiguous?

While the synonyms equivocal and ambiguous are close in meaning, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

In what contexts can obscure take the place of ambiguous?

Although the words obscure and ambiguous have much in common, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When is vague a more appropriate choice than ambiguous?

While in some cases nearly identical to ambiguous, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ambiguous

Secondly, the economic model of the tokens issued by World Network remains somewhat ambiguous, with a sluggish adoption pace working against the idea of integration the token into a world driven increasingly by AI agents interacting and conducting business with minimal human oversight. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

Comforting touch should be honest and clear – not ambiguous, not tentative and never assumed. —Brian N. Chin, The Conversation, 16 May 2025

Whether Wyatt believed the failure of the journey stemmed from selling out, the meaninglessness of their actions or a larger commentary on the collapse of the counterculture movement is left somewhat ambiguous. —Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025

But this is the constant problem of trying to make sense of the signs from people in Trump’s orbit—the recurrent use of white supremacists’ favorite sequence of numbers, ambiguous (and sometimes unambiguous) Nazi salutes, and other dog-whistling. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!