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 There remains the question of whether vibe coding works in the artistic space, where the goal is not simply a functional end product but a more nebulous, subjective piece of art. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2026 Partnership seeks clearer reflection as the intuitive Moon in your 7th House of Partnership opposes nebulous Neptune in your 1st House of Identity, so connection and self-image pull in different directions. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026 Jackson’s connection to the park beyond the name is nebulous. — Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 The status of a potential Jon Snow show remains nebulous, even after previous reports it was passed on entirely. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 June 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
  • As for the ambiguous finale, Hall and Bravo have similar, but slightly different views on it.
    — Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
  • Much of what couples experience as conflict is, on closer inspection, a disagreement about which interpretation of an ambiguous event is the correct one, and that disagreement is rarely settled by appeals to trust.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • The section’s vague language and many loopholes could have a chilling effect on any research that studies the effects of a disease, policy or public health intervention on any specific group of people, Rafla-Yuan said.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Trip reports were vague but full of warnings about steep canyon walls and boat-eating holes.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • It was filled with brackets and parentheticals, written in different fonts and colors, much of it in capital letters, at once detailed and cryptic.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
  • His doctors speculated his infection might have been a rare case of cryptic transmission from sharing meals and bathrooms with his coworkers, one of whom apparently had a tapeworm infection.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • There was a pungent smell and a faint buzzing sound coming from the bedroom.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Though her father has moved to Savannah in the faint hope of reviving his relationship with her and his grandchildren, Anna has wisely kept her distance from him, given his criminal past and his as-yet-unarticulated failings as a parent.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • Its location would be obscure, so drivers would be less inclined to use it.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 12 July 2026
  • Of his 24 professional fights before Saturday, most were against obscure opponents and all but three were in Germany.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Okay, the Fourth of July is over, and now we’re settled into the lazy, hazy days of summer.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026
  • The phenomenon can dampen chances of rain, cause hazier skies and contribute to even higher temperatures.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of hazy
Adjective
  • Aerial footage showed heavy damage to the suspect's vehicle, a dark gray sedan.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • They're headed to a battery recycler who will shred them into a fine, dark powder called black mass, from which those minerals can be recovered and reused in new batteries.
    — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 July 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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