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 legal conversation is settled, and far more explicit than other consequential decisions in which the court must weigh potentially conflicting precedents and nebulous congressional intent.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
In the days immediately following its mid-January perihelion, its head was described as a diffused nebulous mass, but far more noteworthy was its tail, described as a pale narrow ribbon of light.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Proton’s Global Network Triumphs Server counts can be nebulous, and these figures can change daily.
—Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 22 Mar. 2026
Your chatter zone lights up as the life-giving Sun conjoins nebulous Neptune, blending insight with curiosity for thoughtful conversations and local plans.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nebulous
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
In the days immediately following its mid-January perihelion, its head was described as a diffused nebulous mass, but far more noteworthy was its tail, described as a pale narrow ribbon of light.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Proton’s Global Network Triumphs Server counts can be nebulous, and these figures can change daily.
—Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 22 Mar. 2026
Your chatter zone lights up as the life-giving Sun conjoins nebulous Neptune, blending insight with curiosity for thoughtful conversations and local plans.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nebulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nebulous
Adjective
-
Several files included military videos from the last several years that showed small ambiguous dots moving above the landscapes of Iraq, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Many trials occupy an ambiguous middle ground, generating useful data while simultaneously serving promotional objectives.—
Sukhun Kang,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Still, even after the election, Magyar has remained relentlessly on message—which is to say, vague and tight-lipped, leaving several inconvenient dilemmas unaddressed.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Later, Liu Kang himself seemingly dies in a showdown with Shao Kahn, although his fate is kept a bit more vague.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pleas from other countries fell on deaf ears, with Zelensky issuing cryptic warnings for foreigners to stay away from the Victory Day parade.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
-
But one cryptic record provides some indication of how the note went through the legal system.—
Shirsho Dasgupta
Updated May 6,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
That's because the waning gibbous moon will appear in the sky at the same time, most likely outshining many of the fainter shooting stars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
That's because, as Gray explained, the impact will be too faint for observations.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hantavirus is suspected of spreading aboard a luxury cruise ship, killing three passengers and sparking new concerns as a once obscure disease, with an extraordinarily high death rate, rises amid changing climate conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Pau’s early work cohered around a nonnarrative approach to themes of alienation and isolation, rendered through obscure and richly textured visuals.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The book’s cover depicts a hazy sunset over a Hollywood sign that is drowning in floodwaters.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
4 May 2026
-
The immediate aftermath of a split tends to be less clear, a hazy maelstrom that can involve medicinal tubs of ice cream, insomnia by way of intrusive thoughts, and an aversion to wearing anything other than sweats.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nebulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nebulous. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
