CIPHER Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

cipher 1 of 2

noun

ˈsī-fər

Definition of cipher

as in nothing

the numerical symbol 0 or the absence of number or quantity represented by it remember to put the cipher after the decimal point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in nobody

a person of no importance or influence it was either write the Great American Novel or be consigned to the status of a cipher in the annals of literature

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cipher

2 of 2

verb

as in to figure

to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations were surprised by how much we had spent on the cruise after we had ciphered out the grand total

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cipher

Noun

As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s. — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026 The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026

Verb

The real challenge from AI will likely emerge in the weeks and months ahead as firms cipher through Judge Mehta’s enforcement of behavioral requirements. — Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025 These remnants, signals from an earlier phase of our human condition, have been endlessly ciphered by generations of archaeologists in the Bears Ears region (which is named for twin buttes near its center). — Stephen Nash, New York Times, 25 July 2017 See All Example Sentences for cipher

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cipher

Noun

Women continue marching down the runway in their stilettos and frothy little nothings.

— Danielle Pergament, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026

Definition of nothing

Noun

In the trailer, the civilians are selling themselves as a new breed of nobodies.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

Definition of nobody

Verb

But El-Sayed’s medical and public health background is likely to figure prominently if he is elected as a senator from Michigan.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026
There’s a lot left to get back on the right track — especially with the New York Giants figuring things out at the top of the division — but Monday’s result could serve as the launching pad for a run in the next few weeks.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of figure

Noun

Riemann himself proved that nontrivial zeros of the zeta function can only be found in a vertical strip between zero and 1.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Engineers could represent the two configurations as binary digits, or zeros and ones.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of zero

Noun

While most citrus trees are too large for indoor growing, there are a few small or dwarf varieties of citrus that can be kept indoors year-round in pots.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
These explosions, known as hypernovas, were first proposed to explain unusual stars in the halo of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and in a neighboring dwarf galaxy.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

The system tracks these changes to calculate muscle length and velocity, enabling the prosthetic controller to direct limb movement.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
The analysis did not separately calculate the administrator’s share of those expenses.

— Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of calculate

Noun

They are made from Smythson’s signature Panama cross-grain leather and have zip-pocket compartments lined in Burberry’s house check.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Nordic knits Interest in half-zip and quarter-zip sweaters is on the rise, thanks to the Chanel Métiers d’Art show.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of zip

Noun

In four debates, Collins worked to portray Jackson as an angry lightweight who wouldn’t be effective in the Senate.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The Burberry x Smythson notebooks are filled with Smythson’s signature blue lightweight paper, while the opening and closing pages feature a London map print inspired by the fall 2026 Burberry runway collection, or the house check.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of lightweight

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“Cipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cipher. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cipher

noun

verb

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