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
1
as in mysteriousness
the quality or state of being impossible to know, understand, or explain
it's the sheer inscrutableness of the lady's smile that has tantalized art lovers for centuries
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the inscrutableness of the inscriptions left by the doomed colonists of Roanoke Island has inspired many theories concerning their fate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inscrutable
Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 15 May 2025
For now, this volcanic orb remains maddeningly inscrutable.
—Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
But as with many things in life, the truth happens to be much more complicated, much more inscrutable, and much more disturbing.
—New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025
As socioeconomic and ideological gaps widen in the United States, people will continue to find one another inscrutable, infuriating, or hostile, however much everyone softens themselves.
—Lily Scherlis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Adjective
The figures in her paintings, whether men, women or children, tend to have the same unblinking, inscrutable expression.
—Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 15 May 2025
For now, this volcanic orb remains maddeningly inscrutable.
—Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
But as with many things in life, the truth happens to be much more complicated, much more inscrutable, and much more disturbing.
—New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025
As socioeconomic and ideological gaps widen in the United States, people will continue to find one another inscrutable, infuriating, or hostile, however much everyone softens themselves.
—Lily Scherlis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 May 2025
-
Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.—
Ryan Waniata,
Wired News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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At first unsure, Ester allows the guy to touch her, and as a viewer the scene is ambiguous.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
24 May 2025
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The camera flies out over the water, and neither Cecilie nor the audience gets a definitive answer, with the series coming to an ambiguous and unsettling end.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Jurisdictional role ambiguity adds another layer of complexity.—
Khurram Akhtar,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Critics say ambiguities in the law are part of the problem George Wyeth, a visiting scholar at the Environmental Law Institute, says the law is still concerning.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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On Thursday, May 29, the 20-year-old shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
30 May 2025
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Before Tessitore and Barrett could finish arguing, the screen cut out to a cryptic promo from Uncle Howdy, who teased coming after the Tag Team Titles.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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There are some opaque methods for opening car tailgates, but Smart’s must be one of the most obscure.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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That brings us to Biden’s cancer, a diagnosis that surely cast a pall over the various book tours and panel discussions on what the Bidens and their handlers did or did not obscure.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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In a quaint village nestled high in the Swiss alps, an enigmatic domed building towers above the sloped rooftops.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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The invisible legacy In the end, Sara is left with one last crucial gift from her mentor, Massimiliano—a CD with an enigmatic message.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The lyrebird is a master mimic, able to reproduce the calls of other birds, chainsaws, camera shutters, car alarms, and even human voices with uncanny precision.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Filled with uncanny creatures and unintelligible language, the book's inspiration came, Serafini muses, either from aliens, or his cat.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Opening April 8, 2026 A blind date spirals spectacularly off the rails in Becky Shaw, the razor-sharp dark comedy from two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Gina Gionfriddo.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
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He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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