1
as in profound
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
metaphysics is such an esoteric subject that most people are content to leave it to the philosophers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
must have had some esoteric motive for leaving his art collection to a museum halfway around the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 esoteric
At the time of his death, in 1987, Feldman seemed destined to be remembered as a particularly esoteric associate of John Cage’s.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The spa In addition to classic spa services like facials and massages, the Post Ranch spa offers more esoteric experiences including shaman sessions (for both individuals and couples), a power animal drum journey, astrology, energy balancing, and forest meditation.
—Lauren Sloss, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
No private start-up is going to address esoteric diseases.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Throughout, Tallent intertwines the sport’s esoteric lingo through his characters’ emotions, finding connections between the jargon and their own experiences and feelings.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The spa In addition to classic spa services like facials and massages, the Post Ranch spa offers more esoteric experiences including shaman sessions (for both individuals and couples), a power animal drum journey, astrology, energy balancing, and forest meditation.
—Lauren Sloss, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
No private start-up is going to address esoteric diseases.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Throughout, Tallent intertwines the sport’s esoteric lingo through his characters’ emotions, finding connections between the jargon and their own experiences and feelings.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
Adjective
-
Its simplicity was profound, and clearly the result of hours of labor and design.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
When censorship finally began to ease in the 1990s, Korean filmmakers emerged with a profound understanding of cinematic storytelling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The plaintiffs seek at least $10 billion in damages over alleged leaks of their confidential tax information, a lawsuit showed Thursday.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
All calls are toll-free and confidential.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The fact that Katherine had been institutionalized may have tainted her scholarly reputation.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Brown-Grier argued that this knowledge gap is not just a scholarly problem but a governance one.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The bank's president and chairman, John Jovanovic, told CNBC that manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, while the government loan spurs private investments.—
DIDI TANG,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The public and private markets have decided that infrastructure companies and the top model developers are the AI winners, while software companies are the likely losers, regardless of how strong their businesses may look today.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Frozen dough is the secret ingredient that helps this classic West Virginia appetizer come together easily.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For The Ghoul — whose real name is Cooper Howard — that meant finding out if his wife, Barb (Frances Turner), and daughter, Janey (Teagan Meredith), made it to the secret vault for management in New Vegas before the nuclear war.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
New faces joining the cast include Cobie Smulders in an undisclosed role, Fiona Rene as FBI Agent Dawn Ruth, and Kyle Richards as Celeste Baker, a Beverly Hills client seeking Lorna's help with a divorce.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This sale comes after the Greemans purchased a neighboring property, Firewater Ranch, earlier that year for an undisclosed price, The Real Deal reports.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Esoteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esoteric. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
