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

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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 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
  • The section’s vague language and many loopholes could have a chilling effect on any research that studies the effects of a disease, policy or public health intervention on any specific group of people, Rafla-Yuan said.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Trip reports were vague but full of warnings about steep canyon walls and boat-eating holes.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 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
  • As for the ambiguous finale, Hall and Bravo have similar, but slightly different views on it.
    — Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
  • Much of what couples experience as conflict is, on closer inspection, a disagreement about which interpretation of an ambiguous event is the correct one, and that disagreement is rarely settled by appeals to trust.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 July 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on indefinite

Nglish: Translation of indefinite for Spanish Speakers

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