NONOBVIOUS Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

nonobvious

adjective

Definition of nonobvious

as in ambiguous

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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 nonobvious On the flip side, if your financial situation is complicated and nonobvious, be sure to take the time to explain it to your mortgage loan originator. — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 This comes to resemble a branding exercise—perhaps a necessary one to sell a book these days—but the advice is good, and some of it nonobvious. — Matthew Hutson, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2021 The rise of cloud computing, open-source platforms and the API economy has contributed in both obvious and nonobvious ways to this transformation. — Romi Stein, Forbes, 1 June 2021 And to also keep nonobvious stuff on hand — like teddy bears for the kids, a rubber bone for the dog and $50 in cash, all in $1 bills. — Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, 11 June 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonobvious

Adjective

In fact, mathematicians already know that knots of two or more links have ambiguous polynomials.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Because a decision appears to have been made in the Salvadoran case, then paused, without any public clarification, the situation is more ambiguous.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of ambiguous

Adjective

Jesse Plemons is superb as his mysterious Kenny becomes a key player in all this, and there is also exemplary work from Emma D’Arcy as Lina, Digger’s ever-faithful assistant, and Sophie Wilde who watches over the action with a keen eye.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
But key details of this profound primordial transition, such as its threshold energy and density, have remained deeply mysterious.

— Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

Rappers Lucki and Playboi Carti were seen in videos posted to social media, though the cause of the fight and its participants remain unclear.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The prognosis for a Tennessee woman who survived two doses of lethal injection is still unclear, according to her lawyer, who said doctors are still trying to clear the lethal drug administered during her execution attempt.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unclear

Adjective

Yet cycling’s code of ethics is both large and indistinct; the scale of Pogačar’s dominance threatens its traditions.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026
There, a holiday somewhere hot and indistinct, the only clear memory compressed into the feeling of rough grains of sand studding her feet.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of indistinct

Adjective

Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Sure, the story is incomprehensible, and Dylan is far from a great actor.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of incomprehensible

Adjective

Emanuel’s cryptic comment comes amid claims that Meghan was in early talks to star in the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2026
As for what’s going on with the cryptic buying up of team shares, that remains an ongoing mystery for much of the episode — one that ends without Higgins and Rebecca finding out who’s really behind the shenanigans.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of cryptic

Adjective

Disrupting their lives is an enigmatic woman named Cathy Ames, who Adam marries and who gives birth to Cal and Aron.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
But of the leaders of those three mega-bands, perhaps the most mysterious remains Pete Townshend, The Who’s songwriter and enigmatic eminence, thrashing chords and smashing guitars while Roger Daltrey handled lead vocals.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

Browse Nearby Words

nonobservances

nonobvious

nonofficial

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“Nonobvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonobvious. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonobvious

adjective

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