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

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
Understand the ransomware risk Ransomware is malicious software that can lock or encrypt your files and then demand payment to restore access.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of encrypt

Verb

AlphaGenome is designed to identify potential functions of non-coding DNA, which does not encode proteins but makes up the vast majority of the human genome.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
Repetitions in the resulting patterns encode the modular form’s inherent symmetries.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of encode

Verb

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
Brennan points to code review as a concrete example of what the new model looks like.

— Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of encipher

verb

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