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

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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

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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 Spain’s government has pledged to announce housing measures Tuesday, as protesters call for indefinite rental contracts and an end to evictions when no alternative housing is available. — Alicia León, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract covers initial procurement and future orders of PrSM Increment 2, along with follow-on production and continued development. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026 So sometimes people say like misty states or indefinite states. — Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026 Rather, she would be subjected to a potentially indefinite stint in a secure state mental health facility. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 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
  • To find the proof for zeta(3), Apéry sandwiched the function between two infinite series that converged at just the right speed to ensure zeta(3) must be irrational.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In truth, as God’s children the drivers were expressing infinite and omnipresent Mind.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of infinite
Adjective
  • Even as strong as the UNEP report is, the language of who does mitigation is so vague as to almost verge on the passive voice.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • North Korea issued a vague expression of regret over the soldiers’ injuries without clearly accepting responsibility.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • The concept uses single-photon lidar to detect faint laser reflections from an aircraft.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This places the light on a more sensitive part of your retina and can make faint objects easier to see.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • Lakes, mountains, forests and the endless islands are all within a few hours of Gothenburg so even without a car everything is accessible using the excellent trains, buses and ferries.
    — Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As attention fragments across endless feeds and screens, the moments people choose to show up for in person have become some of the most valuable in media.
    — William Earl, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of endless
Adjective
  • Rappers Lucki and Playboi Carti were seen in videos posted to social media, though the cause of the fight and its participants remain unclear.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The prognosis for a Tennessee woman who survived two doses of lethal injection is still unclear, according to her lawyer, who said doctors are still trying to clear the lethal drug administered during her execution attempt.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • In fact, mathematicians already know that knots of two or more links have ambiguous polynomials.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Because a decision appears to have been made in the Salvadoran case, then paused, without any public clarification, the situation is more ambiguous.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of ambiguous

Browse Nearby Words

indefinable
indefinite
indefiniteness
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Cite this Entry

“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indefinite. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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