1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the many inscrutable beliefs of that ancient religion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
ancient oracles typically uttered inscrutable prophecies that could be interpreted almost any way one chose
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Recent Examples of inscrutable
Our bodies go about their business, but our deeper selves flutter, like those blind moths, into that dim waiting room and linger until some inscrutable opening is granted us to start living again.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The Cast Paints a Picture Several former SNL cast members weigh in during the trailer, and their comments sketch a portrait of a boss who is equal parts revered and inscrutable.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Leo, while distinct in style from his predecessor and still somewhat inscrutable, could broadly be described as Francis’ choice.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
The answer deals with vast distances, inscrutable forces and the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The Cast Paints a Picture Several former SNL cast members weigh in during the trailer, and their comments sketch a portrait of a boss who is equal parts revered and inscrutable.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Leo, while distinct in style from his predecessor and still somewhat inscrutable, could broadly be described as Francis’ choice.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
The answer deals with vast distances, inscrutable forces and the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old temple in Denmark — offering a glimpse into the mysterious, once-powerful society that built it.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
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The project imagines a Joseon princess whose songs conjure spontaneous wonderlands, before a moonlit portal transports her to a mysterious palace of history’s greatest artists.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Was there any thought of ending there and leaving what happens next ambiguous?—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
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But the broader dynamic is less ambiguous.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The composer behind Euphoria‘s memorable soundtrack called out the HBO show in a scathing and cryptic social media post.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2026
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With Liu's rise, her father's story bubbled up in China's social media, though any mention was usually brief and cryptic because the 1989 Tiananmen Movement — generally known as 6-4 for the date of the military crackdown, remains a deeply sensitive political taboo in China 37 years later.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The office also, in one of its more obscure functions, licenses certain private cemeteries.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Assembled by Feltenstein and fellow animation expert Jerry Beck, the collection showcases classic appearances by Looney Tunes royalty (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig), but also digs deeper to celebrate more obscure characters like Conrad Cat and Angelo the Mighty Flea.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Much like the movie itself, the images captured by Jima on set are spare and enigmatic.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Spiritual Festivals in Ethiopia As one of the world’s earliest Christian nations, Ethiopia makes for quite the enigmatic travel destination.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s why our testers—spanning a wide range of skin types, ages, and skin concerns—have spent months determining which products actually deliver on their fine-line-smoothing and dark-circle-erasing promises.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
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The suspect has a dark complexion and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and blue pants, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Carol is understandably freaked out; the robot is straight from the uncanny valley, with Dobbins and the filmmakers delivering a thoroughly unsettling sleight-of-hand.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
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Taylor works through his feelings in real time and present tense, with a clearheadedness that makes his introspection feel uncanny.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For Hildegard of Bingen, the German mystic, scientist, composer, and philosopher, women’s maternal bodies were not corrupting and degrading, but strong, nurturing, and creative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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