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

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
When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 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

So the team figured the right way to do it would be to put an atom into a superposition of paths, where one path sees the atom thrown upward and has gravity return it to its original location.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
That success has to be re-established this season, but head coach JJ Redick and his staff figured these teams out last season.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of figure

Noun

Underwood sailed his first Hail Mary attempt out of the back of the end zone, and despite the clock appearing to hit triple zeros to end the game, officials added one second back onto the clock after a review, which led to Underwood's heroics.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of zero

Noun

The image, captured a year earlier by the Hubble Space Telescope, showed UGC 9050-Dw1, a dwarf galaxy some 115 million light-years from Earth.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Watching all ten members sing at once is funny the way the seven dwarves all sleeping in their little beds next to each other is funny.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dwarf

Verb

In a flat-rate COLA, the percentage increase is calculated the same way, but it will only be applied to those in the 20th percentile.

— Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Parents also don’t need to worry about calculating or agreeing to a funding tier during the ARD meeting.

— Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of calculate

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cipher. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cipher

noun

verb

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