1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the many inscrutable beliefs of that ancient religion
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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
But compromises like these might be unavoidable in an era of such inscrutable excess.
—
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
Great eight: Slot picks decisive moments of Liverpool title win
(Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
Arne Slot is an inscrutable guy.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Automatic bids would provide a layer of protection for the blue bloods from the whims of a committee that uses an inscrutable process.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
The question is how much value Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s inscrutable top executive, who rarely talks with media, would take from a trophy.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
Great eight: Slot picks decisive moments of Liverpool title win
(Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
Arne Slot is an inscrutable guy.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Automatic bids would provide a layer of protection for the blue bloods from the whims of a committee that uses an inscrutable process.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
The question is how much value Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s inscrutable top executive, who rarely talks with media, would take from a trophy.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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Scientists will use this data to study dark matter and dark energy, which make up most of the universe but remain mysterious.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
Here's everything to know about the teenager's final hours and the aftermath of her mysterious death.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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In fact, she was designed to be ethnically ambiguous for that reason, suggested Carlos Cortés, professor emeritus in history at UC Riverside, who consulted the creative team.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
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Emojis in texts: More than just fun, a tool for connection While emojis can sometimes be ambiguous or misunderstood, especially in sarcastic or complex conversations, their overall impact is positive.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Fans began speculating what all of the cryptic posts might signal, with some social media users suggesting the possibility of the pair remastering and releasing their 1973 album.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
19 July 2025
-
The Wall Street Journal reported in the evening on July 17 that Trump sent Epstein a lewd, cryptic letter for his 50th birthday.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Outraged, Gauguin located an obscure French law that proved only children within a four-kilometre radius of a school were bound to attend.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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Chartreuse Made by actual French monks based on a nearly 300-year-old secret recipe, this high-proof, kelly green spirit is a bit of an obscure flex.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The same narrative was recycled, almost ritualistically, whenever the enigmatic artist took the stage.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Her voice soon catches the attention of the admired and enigmatic choirmaster Machá (Juraj Loj).—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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There is also a slightly uncanny aspect to FedEx that felt fitting.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
-
Not so long ago in a living room not too far away, an uncanny replica of K-2SO stands at seven-feet tall in front of Ermer Twano’s television set.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 July 2025
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The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The man from Osaka’s right arm is almost mystic, like one of California’s solemn redwoods.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
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Further projects include psychological thriller The Olive Press, set in the mystic world of the Druze community in Mount Lebanon, from writer and director Samah El Kadi, and co-written by Nadim Chammas.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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