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
While others have shared my friend’s experience, a variety of factors—water temperature, visibility, the inscrutable whims of these mysterious creatures—can make spotting them a challenge.
—
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
The Cast Paints a Picture Several former SNL cast members weigh in during the trailer, and their comments sketch a portrait of a boss who is equal parts revered and inscrutable.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Leo, while distinct in style from his predecessor and still somewhat inscrutable, could broadly be described as Francis’ choice.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
The answer deals with vast distances, inscrutable forces and the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
The Cast Paints a Picture Several former SNL cast members weigh in during the trailer, and their comments sketch a portrait of a boss who is equal parts revered and inscrutable.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Leo, while distinct in style from his predecessor and still somewhat inscrutable, could broadly be described as Francis’ choice.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
The answer deals with vast distances, inscrutable forces and the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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In addition to learning more about the karsts' mysterious ecosystems, the biodiversity study aimed to advocate for their conservation.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Per the official logline, School Spirits is centered around Maddie, a teen girl stuck in the afterlife investigating her own mysterious disappearance.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Language that humans easily understand can be too ambiguous for machines, especially when multiple objects look similar.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
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Was there any thought of ending there and leaving what happens next ambiguous?—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The three-page letter is somewhat cryptic.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
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The lyrics are often cryptic and clipped, but bear evidence of turbulence and tumult.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His big break came when the Tar Heels hired him — a guy with direct connections to Air Force and Kansas, but not so much to UNC — to be an obscure assistant coach.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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Rename the file, banish it to some obscure folder.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Barret Robbins, the enigmatic center who battled mental illness and addiction and was suspended from the Raiders on the eve of Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, has died.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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This is the second single off of Draco Rosa’s upcoming Olas de Luz album, where the musician continues to create existential-leaning music layered in enigmatic, almost spiritual energy.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Bathrooms are smartly designed to fit large shower-baths into a relatively compact space; tiling is dark and mirrored with pleasing gold accents.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
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Brown, a mental health advocate, has also previously mentioned Moore as a key person who was there for him during dark times.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gangster Squad had the ugly uncanny-valley aesthetic of a Sin City knockoff, a too-big ensemble, and overly slow-mo-dependent action scenes.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Genre-blending in Latin music is nothing new, but timing and execution set them apart, along with an uncanny ability to turn internet absurdism into cool songs, all wrapped in sharp musicianship and rock ’n’ roll panache.—
Maria Nenet Barrios,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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