1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

hieroglyphic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hieroglyphicnext
as in image
a pictorial character used in hieroglyphics The statue had an inscription written in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Related Words

Relevance

hieroglyphic

2 of 2

adjective

variants also hieroglyphical
1
as in incomprehensible

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in pictographic

Related Words

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 hieroglyphic
Noun
Chip Morris carving entrance doors like driftwood hieroglyphics, Yvonne Domenge installing bronzes that catch light like honey, Marina Silva painting fertility goddesses across the yoga shala. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 For most of your predecessors, pitching was like reading hieroglyphics. — Kevin Sherrington feb. 25, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
There’s the decorative labanotation (or choreography notes) on the eastern exterior wall, featuring hieroglyphic-like markings. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026 Rocks and boulders added to the stage production, anchored by an arch with hieroglyphic text added for extra detail. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hieroglyphic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hieroglyphic
  1. image
  2. incomprehensible
  3. iconographic
  4. likeness
  5. mysterious
  6. drawing
  7. puzzling
  8. illustration
Noun
  • Some are painted with a stuttering distortion, like a computer image that’s failed to fully download.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, the image of the sickly, slumbering child recurs throughout Marcon’s work.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of image
Adjective
  • The Music City Miracle now has a rival after Vanderbilt's improbable, and frankly incomprehensible, last-second victory against NC State on Saturday afternoon.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • This city is already a freaky liminal space full of snaking pathways that are almost incomprehensible.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of incomprehensible
Adjective
  • Its decorative and iconographic complexity are unparalleled, says Esther Rodríguez, one of the co-directors of the investigation.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 25 June 2026
  • The French designer’s creations draw from a vast iconographic repertoire.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Definition of iconographic
Noun
  • More on Nike deal The Miami Hurricanes’ new megadeal with Nike — the most lucrative in the apparel company’s history which was formally announced Friday — includes a name, image and likeness component for UM student-athletes.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • But with name, image and likeness licensing money and the transfer portal part of the new reality of college sports, the difference between college and the NFL has never been smaller.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of likeness
Adjective
  • Afterward, guests made their way up to Shishi, tucked away on the third floor with a mysterious entrance.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a guy who wound up dying under mysterious circumstances that makes up part of him.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Noun
  • On a Saturday of Powerball, Fantasy 5 and Florida Lotto drawings, two jackpots paid off, both winners getting their tickets at Publix stores.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Its worldwide significance is exhibited through drawings and textiles, offering visitors an impactful experience.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of drawing
Adjective
  • The details of the case were so puzzling as to be almost unbelievable, certainly unsolvable.
    — Steve Belanger, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Roman’s catalog of galaxies will help scientists ascertain how quickly the universe is expanding due to these puzzling, unseen forces.
    — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Noun
  • Along with sizable paintings from iconic American artists such as Norman Rockwell and Frida Kahlo, the museum features galleries with comic books, manga, and other illustrations that have historically been viewed only between paper pages.
    — Nava Rawls, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
  • George Lucas and Mellody Hobson used the night to defend their ambitious narrative art museum, arguing that illustration and pop culture belong alongside masterworks as legitimate, emotionally resonant art.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of illustration

Browse Nearby Words

hieroglyph
hieroglyphic
hieroglyphics
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Hieroglyphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hieroglyphic. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of confabulate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All