ENCIPHER Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

encipher

verb

Definition of encipher

as in to cipher

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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 encipher To protect sensitive communications traveling along public pathways, the senders enciphered—or encrypted—their words, often using machines that could replace each letter with a new letter. — Liza Mundy, Time, 10 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encipher

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

Definition of cipher

Verb

Most VPNs hide your IP address and encrypt your connection, then leave you to discover a malicious site after the damage is done.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
To encrypt messages with RSA, someone just needs to know one of these numbers, which, like RSA-260, have only two prime factors; decryption requires knowing both specific primes.

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of encrypt

Verb

The four chemical units that make up strands of DNA also encode information that can serve as the basis of algorithmic calculations.

— Mike McRae September 22, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026
Because of the high likelihood of corruption, our devices encode messages with enough redundancy that they can be pieced together by the receiving machine despite the errors incurred in transit.

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of encode

Verb

Unlike most museums that try to educate you with big blocks of wall text and QR code deep dives, the Lucas Museum is just fun, with free-flowing galleries that encourage random exploration.

— Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Researchers have been puzzled by the intricacies of the genome, especially noncoding DNA—the 98 percent of DNA that doesn’t code for specific proteins but still plays a major role in the body’s function.

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of code

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enchiladas

encipher

enciphered

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“Encipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encipher. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of encipher

verb

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