1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the many inscrutable beliefs of that ancient religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Materialists is a swipe-right experience — elusive but not inscrutable, as well as enjoyably, delicately playful.
—
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 12 June 2025
Most people have a sense that legal principles and arguments are relatively inscrutable to the average Joe.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Smartphones have already absorbed us in our screens, creating personalized information bubbles; omnipresent A.I. will only intensify that atomization while being more automated, more inscrutable, and more inescapable.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 28 May 2025
Everywhere in music, these incongruous expectations breed inscrutable and immutable stars.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 12 June 2025
Most people have a sense that legal principles and arguments are relatively inscrutable to the average Joe.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Smartphones have already absorbed us in our screens, creating personalized information bubbles; omnipresent A.I. will only intensify that atomization while being more automated, more inscrutable, and more inescapable.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 28 May 2025
Everywhere in music, these incongruous expectations breed inscrutable and immutable stars.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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The story in the graphic novel picks up 10 years after the events of the eponymous 1980 movie, as Joliet Jake disappears from prison under mysterious circumstances.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2025
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All do so, apart from the titular madman, who has a mysterious reason to stay behind.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The inconsistency of the geographical settings goes hand in hand with the how their American protagonists are depicted as inept operators whose heroism is ambiguous Soon after his arrival in Saigon, Andrews mistakes an advertisement for a dubious massage parlor as a clue from a local contact.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
18 June 2025
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That’s negativity bias in action—the cognitive reflex to prioritize potential threats over neutral or positive cues, especially when the situation is ambiguous.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
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Alongside firsthand accounts from cops, journalists, and survivors, the series unpacks how fear spread through the streets, fueled by cryptic letters, a frenzied press, and a killer who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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This obscure law vested NOAA with the authority to issue permits for mining beyond American jurisdiction until an international regime was put in place.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
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That Davis exhibited but ultimately painted over the other two works in his geometric series might suggest some dissatisfaction with their admittedly obscure nature.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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This deeply personal documentary dives into the legacy of Counting Crows and their enigmatic lead singer Adam Duritz, not as a nostalgia play, but as a raw and revealing look at identity, artistry, and the fine line between performance and reality.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 June 2025
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Her enigmatic portraiture graces the collections of billionaire businessman François Pinault and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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In Girls with Long Shadows, the triplets are linked by that uncanny psychological and physical sibling familiarity; if one sister has a headache, the other two’s temples pulse with empathetic pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
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That the vice president would be more amusing with less hair, a perfectly rounded face, and an uncanny, doll-like stare?—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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My challenge was to make the sequel scarier, and darker.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Prioritize sleep quality: Creating a consistent bedtime routine and keeping your bedroom cool and dark may help improve sleep.—
Stella Bard,
Health,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Something of a mystic, just like af Klint, Martin found meaning and structure in artistic practice and spiritual rigor.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
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This book contains the first English translation of the writings of af Klint, a Swedish painter and mystic.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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