1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the occult ways in which the human mind works
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
an occult reference in the text that has puzzled scholars ever since
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 occult
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Other screening options include annual fecal occult blood tests which look for blood in the stool.
—Janelle Chavez, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Of course, many other (fainter) stars will also be occulted during the moon's 2-to-3-hour passage through the cluster.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occult
Adjective
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
Other screening options include annual fecal occult blood tests which look for blood in the stool.
—Janelle Chavez, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023
Verb
When was it occulted by the moon?
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Of course, many other (fainter) stars will also be occulted during the moon's 2-to-3-hour passage through the cluster.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occult
Adjective
-
Brosnan, 71, plays Irish lawman Gabriel Dove, while Jackson, 76, plays a mysterious outlaw calling himself St. Christopher.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
2 May 2025
-
Sometimes life works in mysterious ways and it’s denied Lucas the opportunity to play in a big game last night.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Storm clouds loomed over Europe, and Adolf Hitler's ambitions were not ambiguous for anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear—especially U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Timing for the start of production is likewise ambiguous.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a magic trick to building a story around the villain, and if justice is the endgame, it really should be doled out expeditiously; otherwise, the narrative loses its moral authority of fundamental opposition to its central character.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Dimbleby’s age, far from a liability, feels like a magic trick—rare is the podcast host in 2025 who can casually weave socioeconomics together with personal memories of the Second World War.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Iben believes that this simple truth—understood intuitively by earlier generations of investors—has been obscured in an era dominated by short-term thinking and monetary distortion.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
In this natural-color scene, thick smoke obscures the fire’s mark on the land below.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to ‘find the accountant,’ Wolff is compelled to solve the case.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Despite the cryptic message, many fans figured out where to find the singer and showed up in droves, forcing Lorde to initially cancel her appearance.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Nutritionists By Brianna Peters In an era when nearly everything feels politicized and uncertain, these mystic tools offer something precious: a means of reconnecting with ourselves.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2025
-
In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His first foray into the magical universe was met with marvelous talent from his costars.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
2 May 2025
-
It’s been so overwhelming and uplifting and magical.—
Ayan Artan,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by FBI agents last week, charged with obstruction of justice and concealing an individual to prevent an arrest.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
-
The alleged smuggler, a Mexican citizen, was arrested on suspicion of hiding the birds in nylon stockings concealed inside his boots.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Occult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occult. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share