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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Recent Examples of inscrutable
The black hole at the center of our galaxy is hardly more inscrutable than the mysterious process by which Gov. Ron DeSantis decides which condemned prisoner will be put to death next.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Chess is not the only domain where eschewing conventional rules and formal logic in favor of highly sophisticated and inscrutable systems has generated progress.
—Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 16 June 2025
The final silent looks between Kate and Claire are fairly inscrutable, and Moore notes that she and Sweeney were instructed to give a wide range of options in their acting choices.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 June 2025
There is plenty of commentary, even among users of other platforms, about how Threads is bloodless (and owned by Mark Zuckerberg), Mastodon is inscrutable, and Bluesky is humorless.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Chess is not the only domain where eschewing conventional rules and formal logic in favor of highly sophisticated and inscrutable systems has generated progress.
—Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 16 June 2025
The final silent looks between Kate and Claire are fairly inscrutable, and Moore notes that she and Sweeney were instructed to give a wide range of options in their acting choices.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 June 2025
There is plenty of commentary, even among users of other platforms, about how Threads is bloodless (and owned by Mark Zuckerberg), Mastodon is inscrutable, and Bluesky is humorless.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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Sometimes an oven is like that mysterious black box on a magician's stage where odd things go in, and something far more delightful comes out.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
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As the stakes rise inside and outside the family, a mysterious new threat emerges…one that could unravel the Russos forever.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The new legal landscape places greater responsibility on Congress to write less ambiguous statutes that more clearly recognize the different considerations—legal, scientific and policy—that go into writing effective rules.—
Susan E. Dudley,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The book leaves off on a more ambiguous note, as Eleanor explains that she and Jamie weren't meant to be together.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Both the New Heights podcast and Taylor Nation hinted at the announcement with cryptic social media posts on Monday morning, sending fans into an investigative frenzy.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
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Stevie Nicks has been mentioned, too, especially given a cryptic post on social media Monday.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His classical, sometimes obscure tastes contrasted with Pomeranz’s appreciation for Hollywood blockbusters, making their debates supremely entertaining as well as enlightening.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
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Some — like the emblem of the 101st Airborne and the 1st Cavalry — are easily recognizable but others are more obscure.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Weapons is a movie about a local misfortune that then reveals the enigmatic villain behind it and delights in her comeuppance.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
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Perseverance's adventures have revealed some insights about the enigmatic Martian geology.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Young has lofted up passes in practice and McMillan has shown off his uncanny ability to pluck the ball out of the air.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
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Until then, get to know the woman with an uncanny resemblance to Caitríona Balfe’s Claire and her fascinating entry into the Outlander universe.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sydney Sweeney’s new dark crime comedy Americana is new in theaters this weekend.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Flames and dark smoke billowed over a cement factory that was set alight by a wildfire that swept through olive groves and forests and disrupted rail traffic on the outskirts of the Greek city of Patras, west of Athens.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The round shape and clear sides let the punch’s pumpkin orange hue shine, creating a mystic effect—especially when surrounded by a bit of dry ice mist.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
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There is a mystic register to this faithful wanting, religious or otherwise.—
Terry Nguyen
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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