indefinite

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈde-fə-nət How to pronounce indefinite (audio)
Definition of indefinitenext
1
as in infinite
being or seeming to be without limits the indefinite vastness of the frozen tundra

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vague
not expressed in precise terms an indefinite longing for something new and exciting in her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in faint
not seen or understood clearly through the dense fog we could just barely discern the indefinite form of another boat

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 indefinite By early January, doctors mandated Krzyzewski take an indefinite leave from coaching. — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Consequently, Levine placed an indefinite hold on Bell’s Board of Governors confirmation vote while his governance concerns were addressed. — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 Arcadia police said that the intersection of Duarte Road and Sunset Boulevard would be closed for an indefinite amount of time as the investigation got underway. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 June 2026 Maserati’s iconic sedan remains on indefinite hiatus. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for indefinite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indefinite
  1. infinite
  2. vague
  3. faint
  4. endless
  5. unclear
  6. ambiguous
Adjective
  • The clothes are filled with cues and clues to an infinite number of details about a person’s inner life.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Specifically, at least for Western religious teachings, we are all filled with star power and infinite value.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of infinite
Adjective
  • In this case, the vague nature of terms like DEI and CRT can have an even steeper negative impact on classrooms by creating uncertainty among faculty.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • OnePlus denied rumors of a shutdown earlier this year, but its language was vague and never promised future phone releases.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • There was a pungent smell and a faint buzzing sound coming from the bedroom.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Though her father has moved to Savannah in the faint hope of reviving his relationship with her and his grandchildren, Anna has wisely kept her distance from him, given his criminal past and his as-yet-unarticulated failings as a parent.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • There are endless hobbies and volunteer opportunities to take up instead.
    — Allison Aubrey, NPR, 13 July 2026
  • The original was followed by seven sequels as well as a reboot in 2010, not to mention a TV series, comics, and endless merchandise.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
Definition of endless
Adjective
  • Burke says the interim boss at CPD, Fred Waller, is known and respected, but who leads long-term at 35th and Michigan remains unclear.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Right-back Calvin Ramsay (22) is in a similar situation, although there may be more game-time opportunities for him because of Conor Bradley’s unclear injury status.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • Without getting into spoilers, the series wraps on an ambiguous ending that asks the viewer to decide just how much Lonnie has grown.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • Before Bear makes his wish, the film is purposefully ambiguous about whether Nikki has any real feelings for him.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of ambiguous

Browse Nearby Words

indefinable
indefinite
indefiniteness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefinite. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on indefinite

Nglish: Translation of indefinite for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All