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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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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Recent Examples of arcane
There are plenty of scapegoats: The Senate’s arcane rules, or members who want to go on recess.
—
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
Her expertise as the Senate’s interpreter of arcane chamber rules cannot be easily replaced with a party loyalist, and her day-to-day duties are nonpartisan in nature, even if she was appointed in 2012 by then-Democratic Leader Harry Reid.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Family businesses have been waiting impatiently for certainty on tax policy, as many of the 2017 improvements in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were made temporary to fit within the Senate’s arcane budget reconciliation restrictions.
—Palmer Schoening, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
The Senate’s become consumed with a debate over the arcane provider tax, a mechanism health care providers use to get more federal dollars for Medicaid.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arcane
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
Her expertise as the Senate’s interpreter of arcane chamber rules cannot be easily replaced with a party loyalist, and her day-to-day duties are nonpartisan in nature, even if she was appointed in 2012 by then-Democratic Leader Harry Reid.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Family businesses have been waiting impatiently for certainty on tax policy, as many of the 2017 improvements in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were made temporary to fit within the Senate’s arcane budget reconciliation restrictions.
—Palmer Schoening, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
The Senate’s become consumed with a debate over the arcane provider tax, a mechanism health care providers use to get more federal dollars for Medicaid.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arcane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcane
Adjective
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The concern is understandable since the result could well become something too esoteric or scholarly for its own good.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
1 Aug. 2025
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Thus, every Sunday there would be a large gathering of family on the farm to enjoy an esoteric dark roux gumbo.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Both the New Heights podcast and Taylor Nation hinted at the announcement with cryptic social media posts on Monday morning, sending fans into an investigative frenzy.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
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But the anticipation — and online speculation — spiked on Monday, after the star released a series of cryptic social media posts.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As the stakes rise inside and outside the family, a mysterious new threat emerges…one that could unravel the Russos forever.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
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Sometimes an oven is like that mysterious black box on a magician's stage where odd things go in, and something far more delightful comes out.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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When someone known for driving innovation suddenly becomes quiet in meetings, or a usually upbeat employee becomes consistently subdued, these are signs of more profound fatigue.—
Laurie Shakur,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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That said, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are having a profound impact on the way drivers interact with their vehicles.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Whether the death was self-inflicted or by accident is ambiguous.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision eliminated Chevron deference, sharply curtailing agencies’ ability to interpret ambiguous laws.—
AJ Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The round shape and clear sides let the punch’s pumpkin orange hue shine, creating a mystic effect—especially when surrounded by a bit of dry ice mist.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
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There is a mystic register to this faithful wanting, religious or otherwise.—
Terry Nguyen
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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His classical, sometimes obscure tastes contrasted with Pomeranz’s appreciation for Hollywood blockbusters, making their debates supremely entertaining as well as enlightening.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
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Some — like the emblem of the 101st Airborne and the 1st Cavalry — are easily recognizable but others are more obscure.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Young has lofted up passes in practice and McMillan has shown off his uncanny ability to pluck the ball out of the air.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
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Until then, get to know the woman with an uncanny resemblance to Caitríona Balfe’s Claire and her fascinating entry into the Outlander universe.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arcane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcane. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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