Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

cryptic

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of cryptic

1 being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
  • puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer
Synonyms of cryptic

arcane, deep, enigmatic (also enigmatical), impenetrable, inscrutable, mysterious, mystic, occult, uncanny
Words Related to cryptic

dark, darkling, fuzzy, murky, obscure, shadowy, vague

ambiguous, equivocal

imponderable, incomprehensible, unfathomable, unintelligible, unsearchable

inexplicable, unaccountable, unexplainable

unanswerable, unknowable

metaphysical, mystical, numinous, supernatural

abstruse, esoteric, recondite

baffling, befuddling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling
Near Antonyms of cryptic

fathomable, intelligible, understandable

apparent, clear, evident, manifest, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, perspicuous, plain, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unequivocal, unmistakable
2 having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
  • The oracle offered only cryptic predictions that could be interpreted any number of different ways.
Synonyms of cryptic

ambiguous, arcane, dark, deep, elliptical (or elliptic), enigmatic (also enigmatical), equivocal, inscrutable, murky, mysterious, mystic, nebulous, obscure, occult, opaque
Words Related to cryptic

abstruse, esoteric, recondite

cloaked, concealed, disguised, masked, shrouded

cloudy, dim, faint, foggy, fuzzy, hazy, indistinct, indistinguishable, misty, muddy, shaded, shadowlike, shadowy, sphinxlike

indefinite, inexact, inexplicit, noncommittal, questionable, unclear, uncertain, undefined, undetermined, vague

impenetrable, incomprehensible, indecipherable, inexplicable

eerie (also eery), uncanny, weird

baffling, bewildering, confounding, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling, unfathomable

circuitous, indirect, roundabout
Near Antonyms of cryptic

comprehensible, fathomable, intelligible, knowable, legible, pellucid, understandable

bright, distinct, evident, self-evident, self-explanatory

certain, firm, strong, sure

defined, determined

direct, straightforward

definite, exact, explicit
Antonyms of cryptic

accessible, clear, nonambiguous, obvious, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal

Synonym Discussion of cryptic

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.
    • obscure poems
dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.
    • muttered dark hints of revenge
vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.
    • a vague sense of obligation
enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.
    • enigmatic occult writings
cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.
    • cryptic hints of hidden treasure
ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.
    • an ambiguous directive
equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.
    • moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Learn More about cryptic

  1. See words that rhyme with cryptic Dictionary: Definition of cryptic Medical Dictionary: Definition of cryptic Spanish Central: Translation of cryptic Nglish: Translation of cryptic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cryptic for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cryptic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games