nebulous

adjective

ˈne-byə-ləs How to pronounce nebulous (audio)
Definition of nebulousnext
1
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning made nebulous references to some major changes the future may hold

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly could just make out the nebulous outline of a fishing shack in the dense fog

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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 nebulous Ohtani’s timeline back to the mound is nebulous at this point. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 It can’t be stopped, only passed along to someone else, like a nebulous disease metaphor in an edgy horror movie. — Chris Kelly, New Yorker, 28 July 2026 For reasons that are, at best, hazy, Lonnie had a meltdown of some amorphous type that had some sort of non-specific impact on his overall psyche, leaving him stuck in a nebulous rut. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 The theatrical angle is a bit more nebulous and weaker, Seilie argues. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nebulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nebulous
  1. ambiguous
  2. vague
  3. cryptic
  4. faint
  5. obscure
  6. hazy
  7. dark
Adjective
  • Not in some ambiguous, interpretive way—but with your actual eyes.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Pathak describes Vijay Salgaonkar as increasingly morally ambiguous across the three films, anchored by one constant.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Occasionally, there is a vague resignation, but direct accountability is rare.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Find the point where judgment disappeared, ownership became vague or an old instruction remained available after its context changed.
    — Mani Padisetti, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • Though the Gallaghers weren’t on hand at the film’s press conference earlier on Saturday to field questions, the band has posted several cryptic teasers on Instagram that have sent fans into detective mode.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Sasha Farber posted a cryptic photo following his absence from DWTS’ season 35 lineup.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, her cheeks and lips were accented with a faint swipe of peach blush and rose gloss, and her lashes were coated in black mascara, giving the overall look a refined appeal.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Even as their faint rally began to flourish in the eighth inning, there was no credible reason to believe the ending would be any different this time.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • Last month, Vance hurled himself into an obscure debate over burrito prices to make a gratuitous swipe at a conservative Washington Post columnist’s weight.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Beneath the cringe internet overshare was a welcome indication that the vaginal microbiome has finally moved from an obscure area of medical research into mainstream conversation.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • DPs Fabian Gamper and Tudor Vladimir Panduru’s grainy lensing poetically captures these intimate faultlines and era-specific textures, staying close to Rita’s face and increasingly hazy eyes.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Its poster is a still life every Jeddah resident knows, a rooftop of water tanks and air conditioners against a hazy sky.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hazy
Adjective
  • As Florian Wirtz was substituted during Liverpool’s 2-2 opening day draw at Newcastle United, the German midfielder sat on the bench, retrieved a bottle of dark red liquid, and began to drink.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In this version, the couple has moved from Chicago to London for a fresh start—bad things happened in Chicago—and the set features a wide town house with dark corners and William Morris wallpaper.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark

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Cite this Entry

“Nebulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nebulous. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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