1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the many inscrutable beliefs of that ancient religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inscrutable
Gimlin, his neighbor and onetime friend — and perhaps the doc’s most charismatic and inscrutable subject — stopped speaking to him.
—
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
While others have shared my friend’s experience, a variety of factors—water temperature, visibility, the inscrutable whims of these mysterious creatures—can make spotting them a challenge.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
While others have shared my friend’s experience, a variety of factors—water temperature, visibility, the inscrutable whims of these mysterious creatures—can make spotting them a challenge.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
-
Things are shaken up when a mysterious figure (Lee Pace) arrives in the sisters' quaint New England town with a new quest for them.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Adding to her woes, her Moroccan Jewish grandmother has just passed away, leaving her with only a family ring with mysterious powers.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bieber has had clashes with the paparazzi, and has sent ambiguous messages over social media hinting at his sorrow.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
While data centers represent tangible ways in which AI is changing our lives, the more abstract and ambiguous fears are coming to a boil, as well.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Simultaneously, the solo careers of fellow Pornographers Neko Case and Dan Bejar had begun to take flight—Case as maybe the greatest country torch singer of her generation, and Bejar in his cryptic Leonard Cohen-adjacent auteur mode as Destroyer.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a mysterious new leader of EON (ExtraOrdinary Observation and Neutralization), according to a cryptic summary.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The quartet refused to give interviews and press releases were obscure and offered little information.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Others, like Harvilicz, are more obscure but still wield consequential powers.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Charlie's Angels centered on three private investigators who, under orders from their enigmatic but never visible boss, Charlie Townsend, solved cases together using their wits and style.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
An investigation by The New York Times used biographical details and writing style comparisons to make the case that Adam Back was the cryptocurrency’s enigmatic founder.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hathaway, in disheveled straight blonde hair parted down the middle to its thick dark roots, does a convincing job of showing us that Mary, while devoted to her art (and her fame — the two can’t be separated), is a mere mortal who wears her onstage persona like a cosmic costume.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Store leftover seeds in a cool, dark place until next season.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The trailer’s uncanny aura makes sense as soon as the Angel Studios logo appears.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Dion’s voice, phrasing, physicality and offbeat sense of humor with uncanny precision, but also her essence.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
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 20 Apr. 2026.
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