INSCRUTABLE Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

inscrutable

adjective

in-ˈskrü-tə-bəl

Definition of inscrutable

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

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

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 inscrutable The place had inscrutable stoner-eclectic décor, with pictures of Salvador Dalí on serving-tray papers and a Rastafarian lion statuette on the counter. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 Mars forms a challenging square to Saturn on September 1, putting pressure on your deadlines and stressing you out with weird, inscrutable coworker aggression. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 But, practically speaking, none of it is imaginable or executable without digital technologies that are fundamentally black-boxed, inscrutable to individual cops on the beat and institutional decision-makers alike. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 Up in the directors’ box, sporting director Andrea Berta wore an inscrutable expression as the game flowed. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inscrutable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable

Adjective

The series pairs its lavish costumes and sets with visual effects to build its fantasy world, including Queen, a mysterious bird with whom Navier forms a bond.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
Away from the elections, the briefing covers a new boom in fossil fuels driven by Big Tech and the latest research on the mysterious rise of colorectal cancer among young people.

— Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

Then, on October 26, a member of Parliament—who happened to be the brother-in-law of one of the conspirators—received a cryptic, anonymous letter.

— Lucia Barnum, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026
The news arrives after a cryptic graphic teasing the tour was posted on Instagram, featuring imagery from The Great Divide.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of cryptic

Adjective

The pope is, among many other things, an American baby boomer who, earlier this summer, referenced in a footnote in a treatise on peace a Dylan lyric so obscure that not even Padgett had ever heard of it.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
From star lender to seized bank Ueno Bank, which skyrocketed from an obscure finance company to a household name in less than five years, claimed more than 60% of Paraguay’s adults as customers.

— Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of obscure

Adjective

Even your biggest hits have something of an enigmatic quality.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Today, this Chilean territory is essentially an open-air archaeological museum, with many of its enigmatic moai (representations of Polynesian ancestors) returned to their upright positions following seven decades of restoration.

— Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

Adjective

The refreshing under-eye treatments are formulated to smooth, firm, and brighten crow’s feet and dark circles.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
The helmet uses a carbon-fiber shell to help control weight and comes supplied with clear and dark visors, as well as a Pinlock anti-fog insert.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

Dowler-Guerrero said Raman had an uncanny ability to get people organized and always had an unwavering belief in her own ability to get things done.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The suggestion is that the algorithms responsible for animating his uncanny likeness have also managed to bring him back from the dead, reassembling him piece by piece.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncanny

Adjective

What’s more, even without steering, the bots were prone to mystic ruminations.

— Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Take The Night Veils, for example, which seeks to capture the spirit of the night through fragrances that can best be described as primal and mystic.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026