1
as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
grammatical rules that seem arcane to generations of students who were never taught grammar in the first place
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the rebate form uses arcane language, the only purpose of which seems to be to disqualify buyers from actually getting a rebate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
my predecessor in this job obviously had his own arcane system for filing things, and so I haven't a clue as to where anything is
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arcane
On his own album, Granli inhabits each song with an arcane spirit, careful to never derail his fragile mystery.
—
H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Petitioners may, because of the arcane United States immigration system, return to their home country, involuntarily or by self-deportation.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Due to the Recording Academy’s arcane rules, some artists, including Beyoncé and Cardi B, were never even eligible for a nomination.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
At the time, the internet was an arcane world that made everyone an alien.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arcane
H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Petitioners may, because of the arcane United States immigration system, return to their home country, involuntarily or by self-deportation.
—A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Due to the Recording Academy’s arcane rules, some artists, including Beyoncé and Cardi B, were never even eligible for a nomination.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
At the time, the internet was an arcane world that made everyone an alien.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arcane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcane
Adjective
-
There were also stories about Reinsdorf not being amused by the wise-cracking or esoteric commentary by Benetti during play-by-play, as if baseball were a deadly serious sport that should be treated with more dignity.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Venus’ connection to Uranus supports your interest or involvement in an esoteric or exotic community.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Strange rituals conducted by children unfold on the beach; dance parties at the big club devolve into fever dream bacchanals; cryptic, threatening symbols appear near the rental house.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Boil it down to just one musician and an acoustic guitar to reveal the durability of this cryptic, futuristic sound.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Remote and mysterious, Rapa Nui continues to awe visitors who wonder how its earliest navigators found this isolated corner of the Pacific.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
-
This is the most mysterious part of this for now.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The film is an unflinching, lyrical, and ultimately moving study of an artist’s mind, offering profound insights into the intersections of mental health, creativity, loneliness, and human resilience.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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Over time, this produces a quiet but profound transformation.—
Sarah Al Asmar,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Times when a gay man from Texas needn’t rely on ambiguous pronouns and discreet interviews to court a broad audience.—
Brian Howe,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
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And as a result, the show — accompanied by some quite instructive poster art — stays true to the book’s lusty approach to ethically ambiguous relationships in academia.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At Barclays Center, Florence + the Machine gather participants to complete the spell-casting circle of their mystic and witchy art-pop (April 21-22, 24).—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
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The language has mystic overtones and rhythmic sections; it might be better felt than understood.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The structures of the UK distribution landscape are so limited and obscure.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
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The two sides are working out terms related to artificial intelligence, streaming residuals, and health and pension funding — along with more obscure subjects like exclusivity windows for TV series regulars.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This uncanny quality is most apparent in the treatment of Rubio’s vocals.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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The central role of Nanno – an enigmatic transfer student whose uncanny insight into the moral failings of those around her drives each episode’s reckoning – is taken by 20-year-old Nakajima Arisa in her screen debut.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arcane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcane. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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