1
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
made nebulous references to some major changes the future may hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The homicides’ motive is nebulous, prosecutor Vassar suggested to the jury, and may be connected to a school beef, retaliation or a diss track.
—
Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Debanking is a nebulous concept.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Granli’s curious new album Rosacea has a nebulous atmosphere all its own.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
So much of that training is nebulous, doing scene study and character work, but the stage-fighting training has a whole certificate at the end.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nebulous
Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Debanking is a nebulous concept.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Granli’s curious new album Rosacea has a nebulous atmosphere all its own.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
So much of that training is nebulous, doing scene study and character work, but the stage-fighting training has a whole certificate at the end.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nebulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nebulous
Adjective
-
There is, at present, some evidence for dark energy weakening over time, although the results from the DESI collaboration, which provide the strongest evidence to date for such a scenario, are highly ambiguous.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But the film’s tone and ending feel more ambiguous, perhaps bittersweet.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The president has also been intentionally vague about his ultimate goal with Iran.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
-
These aren’t just vague wellness notions.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What matters is the strange beauty of the thing — the overall geometries, the balances of shapes, the lines and twists of the wires, the cryptic dialogue with fabrics.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Rashada’s recruitment played out in cryptic Twitter teases from a booster, Hugh Hathcock, and behind the scenes in text messages with eyeball emojis.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But Charli ends the album with a sense of faint dawn creeping in against the gloom.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As Ecklund later learned, the sign was a reference to a once-obscure federal statute, 18 US Code 111, that has become a key tool used by immigration agents to detain American citizens.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Some deserving names, though, are still obscure, and that is why an exhibition at Poster House, on West Twenty-third Street, running until April 12th, is to be welcomed with gusto.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In the public consciousness, these acts of violence were swept away because of the pandemic, and any prior events have faded into a hazy dream of American apathy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Plans could blur as the impressionable Moon merges with nebulous Neptune in your 11th House of Friendship and Community, bringing welcome compassion but also frustratingly hazy expectations.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the center of the space will be a central bar wrapped in wood paneling and leather accents, topped with dark stone, according to the release.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
February 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The shoes accompanied a silky black midi skirt, a simple gray sweater, a thick dark turquoise belt and a long furry gray coat worn off her shoulders.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nebulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nebulous. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
