1
as in mysteriousness
the quality or state of being impossible to know, understand, or explain
the inscrutability of divine intentions is something that people of faith usually just accept
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the inscrutability of the notations in the ledger—who, for example, was the recipient of "gift to X" ?
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 inscrutability
Whether or not Alice lived happily ever after, Gertrude seems to have done so, at least once her devils were banished by inscrutability.
—
Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Théodore Pellerin is a force of abstract inscrutability as Matthew, a character whose true motivations are always kept just out of frame.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Théodore Pellerin is a force of abstract inscrutability as Matthew, a character whose true motivations are always kept just out of frame.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutability
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One cultural role of child stars, after all, is to embody for their moment the ambiguities of approaching adolescence.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
There was less ambiguity in Minnesota; Rodgers was signed with the clear intention to start.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a result, the impenetrability of EU bureaucracies will continue to limit the United States’ ability to restructure transatlantic economic relations.—
JENNIFER KAVANAGH,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
-
This may be Riley’s attempt to portray the insularity and impenetrability of Ruth’s community, a faith so particular that even the reader is denied access to it.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutability. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share