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
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
Big Think, 21 Jan. 2025
An asteroid occulting a background star?
—Big Think, 21 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
Want to see Jupiter occulting a quasar?
—Big Think, 21 Jan. 2025
An asteroid occulting a background star?
—Big Think, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occult
Adjective
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Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
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In The Old Guard 2, following on from the climax of the first film, Andy must come to terms with her newfound mortality while preparing to face a mysterious foe (played by Uma Thurman).—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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These beers had previously been included within larger, more ambiguous lager categories for the Great American Beer Festival competition, but the Brewers Association says the uniqueness and growing popularity of these styles warrants individual guideline recognition.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Tipping for other services may be more ambiguous and recommended as a dollar amount instead, like $10 per hour or $5 per bag carried or shuttle driven.—
Katie Kelton,
Boston Herald,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Skunk and cat urine odors are removed by this magic cleaner.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
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The Neuroscience of Wonder At the core of every magic trick is a psychological game.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Her work whispers, glimmers, and unsettles—not to obscure the past, but to seed something new from its soil.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Norris says the location is an especially difficult terrain to conduct a search in because the trees and shrubbery can obscure the view of where bullets are coming from.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
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Alongside firsthand accounts from cops, journalists, and survivors, the series unpacks how fear spread through the streets, fueled by cryptic letters, a frenzied press, and a killer who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Further projects include psychological thriller The Olive Press, set in the mystic world of the Druze community in Mount Lebanon, from writer and director Samah El Kadi, and co-written by Nadim Chammas.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
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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
Adjective
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Anyone who listens to the Randolphs, who live on the property of the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery, will get an earful on how beautiful, magical and serene the Big Cypress National Preserve is.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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Many climate researchers consider this magical thinking.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Iconic pin-up Jayne Mansfield has an affair in the midst of her separation from Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay and conceals it from the world, returning to Hargitay, who welcomes the baby as his own and continues to raise when Mansfield tragically dies in a car accident at only 34 years old.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
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The amber liquid is concealed by a ceramic decanter designed by sculptor Ivan Venkov; a conscious brand choice to pay homage to Mexico’s artisanal traditions.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Occult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occult. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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