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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inscrutable
As the show’s most inscrutable characters, Cassie and Nate’s relationship is built on their individual desires to be taken seriously.
—
Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Colossal heads, with luminous faces – intense and inscrutable – line the walls of Jenny Saville's studio in Oxford, England.
—Elizabeth Palmer, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Don’t be pointlessly inscrutable.
—Kim Scott, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Brahms’ shifting rhythms are dreamlike and inscrutable, and Tetzloff handled them with care.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Colossal heads, with luminous faces – intense and inscrutable – line the walls of Jenny Saville's studio in Oxford, England.
—Elizabeth Palmer, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Don’t be pointlessly inscrutable.
—Kim Scott, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Brahms’ shifting rhythms are dreamlike and inscrutable, and Tetzloff handled them with care.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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Exciting discoveries await with the opening of various mysterious pristine boxes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The film stars Alan Ritchson, who is likely to return for the sequel, and follows the final recruits of a grueling Special Ops boot camp who encounter a mysterious deadly force.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The entity known as Mother is left ambiguous, as is the tree inside the Cave of Wonders, but there are hints to their true nature.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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If a serious spending-reduction effort were somehow mounted anyway, the result would likely be positive for bonds — but ambiguous for equities, since the economic drag could easily outweigh the benefit of lower interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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No recent performance of Hiller’s looms as large, though, as his warmly cryptic episodic turn on Pluribus as Larry the friendly biker (complete with fabulous bike shorts).—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2026
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Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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From tasting menus that spotlight a single grain variety to butcher counters featuring specific heritage breeds, professional kitchens are translating obscure agricultural choices into experiences diners remember.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
What obscure motive lay behind this one?—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Herzog, known for his enigmatic films and single-minded commitment to achieving the impossible (pulling a boat over a mountain, for one) found a worthy artistic partner in the square-jawed, demonically charming, bug-eyed Klaus Kinski.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 May 2026
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In a three-and-a-half-hour duel, with all the bizarre twists, dips and flips that Medvedev’s opening matches at Roland Garros are famous for, Walton registered a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 win with a scoreline as enigmatic as the man who landed on the short end of it.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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If the second section presents the diagnosis, then in the footnote to Howl Ginsberg writes a prescription, because if we’re oppressed by a dark faith then the only antidote is a different one.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Villains could hide in the giant banyan tree or lurk in the spookily dark new flotation room; a fight scene might involve someone crashing down the waterfall-wall in the centre of the wellness centre.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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With the Hurricanes, Seminoles and Gators all failing to advance past regionals for the first time since 2022, the Sunshine State's lack of representation in both the super regionals and College World Series will feel uncanny.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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The current wave of new acts — think Fcukers, Underscores, and of course, PinkPantheress — wield the sound with an uncanny magnetism, as if communicating from a post-digital future.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 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 4 Jun. 2026.
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