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
Thus began an extended conversation about esoteric sounds that has continued to this day.
—
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
These esoteric Calabi-Yau structures, formerly on the frontier of theoretical physics, could be just the beginning.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
Everyone knows Gaudí’s architecture; his furniture is a more esoteric thing.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 20 May 2025
His tastes ebbed and flowed between aggressive music and more esoteric tastes, as his collaborators came to range from Richard Thompson to Hal Willner, whose tribute to Federico Fellini and Nino Rota included contributions from Thomas, as did a collection of sea shanties.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
These esoteric Calabi-Yau structures, formerly on the frontier of theoretical physics, could be just the beginning.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
Everyone knows Gaudí’s architecture; his furniture is a more esoteric thing.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 20 May 2025
His tastes ebbed and flowed between aggressive music and more esoteric tastes, as his collaborators came to range from Richard Thompson to Hal Willner, whose tribute to Federico Fellini and Nino Rota included contributions from Thomas, as did a collection of sea shanties.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
Adjective
-
His lens bore witness to humanity's darkest injustices and most profound resilience.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
The Court also found that Russia was responsible for violating the right to life by shooting down flight MH17 and had added to the profound suffering of the crash victims’ next of kin by being uncooperative and obstructive in the context of international efforts to uncover the truth.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Thomas had been a confidential informant for the Elkhart County Drug Task Force for 10 months leading up to his shooting Aug. 19, 1998.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
3 July 2025
-
Both settlement agreements are confidential and prohibit the former Bardstown students from discussing what happened.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The private peninsula juts out into Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
12 July 2025
-
In recent months, Trump has made selective public appearances that reflect her private, lowkey nature.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
The tours are accessible via phone, but each stop is kept secret throughout the journey.—
Kaela Ling,Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
-
Ingredients For Sad Cake Only a few basic ingredients are needed for simple Sad Cake, including a Southerner's best kept baking secret: Bisquick Mix.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
It was settled for an undisclosed amount in November 1995.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
Warner Chappell publishing recently made an undisclosed deal for Tom Petty’s catalog.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Esoteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esoteric. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share