1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the occult ways in which the human mind works
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2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
an occult reference in the text that has puzzled scholars ever since
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3
as in magic
having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers
Great Britain's Stonehenge is one of those occult places where people expect something of cosmic significance to happen
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as in to obscure
to keep secret or shut off from view
occulted their house from prying eyes by planting large trees around it the actor's private life had long been occulted by a contrived public persona
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occult
Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
It’s a determinedly non-jokey supernatural thriller in which a group of Adelaide teens get in way over their heads playing an occult party game.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
From Korea alone, seven new projects spanning coming-of-age dramas to occult horror are seeking international co-production opportunities.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occult
Adjective
Speaking of infernal-sounding, pay close attention around the 4:30 mark here, and witness the occult-metal mastery of Mercyful Fate riffsmith Hank Shermann, abetted by his trusty partner Michael Denner.
—Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
It’s a determinedly non-jokey supernatural thriller in which a group of Adelaide teens get in way over their heads playing an occult party game.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Verb
Of course, many other (fainter) stars will also be occulted during the moon's passage through the cluster.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
From Korea alone, seven new projects spanning coming-of-age dramas to occult horror are seeking international co-production opportunities.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occult
Adjective
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In a decadent Venetian hotel, androgynous Eva is drawn to the mysterious Contessa.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
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When a mysterious prankster befalls the town of Middlesburg, 13-year-old Frances McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for the mischief.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to the institute statement, which remained ambiguous about the mosquito’s permanence, the insect probably arrived via freight transportation.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
23 Oct. 2025
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Perhaps its message is meant to be deliberately ambiguous—or maybe there’s no message at all.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The event was attended by 1,000 people, including Warhol, Shields, Lauren Hutton, Marisa Berenson, Calvin Klein, Jerome Robbins, Liza Minnelli, Raquel Welch, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Plácido Domingo, while Muhammad Ali performed magic tricks, before dinner was served in the Temple of Dendur.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
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Her whole body of work has been a magic act of comedy and really beautiful character writing.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Traditional narratives obscure the role slavery might have played in Texas’ drive for independence and portray the Alamo’s defenders as freedom fighters.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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Breaking up or obscuring the reflection makes the glass visible to birds, preventing them from hitting your windows.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Welch announced their album Everybody Scream back in August, following a few cryptic teasers.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
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This led many fans to believe that online discussions and interviews referencing his expiring contract were part of an elaborate storyline, given Kross's cryptic persona.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Helena, meanwhile, was supposedly a mystic receiving directions from spiritual masters hidden in the Himalayas.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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This was the danger Madison considered — that mystic memory would falsely elevate the Constitution.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Although Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprised their roles as the magical trio for the 2022 sequel, Birch, Katz and Shaw were not present for the onscreen reunion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
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Enjoying a swimming hole in the summer is a prime Vermont pastime, but the state's waterways are just as magical in the colder months.—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors also alleged Friday that between December 2024 and September 2025, Blain destroyed or concealed city communications that were public records subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Shoplifting over $100 by concealing.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Occult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occult. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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