OPAQUE Synonyms: 294 Similar and Opposite Words

opaque

adjective

ō-ˈpāk

Definition of opaque

as in ambiguous

having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vague

not seen or understood clearly an opaque remark that seemed to hint that there would be future retaliation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily people are sometimes rude to her, but fortunately she's too opaque to realize what's happening

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 opaque Add the shrimp mixture, scraping all of the seasoning from the bowl into the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, just until the shrimp turns opaque and curls into a C-shape. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 This time around, traders often cite the booming (and opaque) private credit market and AI datacenter plans funded too much by debt — some of it off balance sheet — as likely breaking points. — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 One path leads to a world where power is concentrated, decisions are opaque, and people feel that the most important technology of their lifetime is something being done to them. — Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 At nearly two and a half hours, The Unknown may strike some as frustratingly opaque. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opaque

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opaque

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

Okay, Noah is somehow a Manhunter, though how this came to be is left vague and almost intangible for much of the episode.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The law includes an exception for when a pregnant person’s life is in danger, but physicians and lawyers have said the language is vague and could be interpreted differently by different doctors and hospitals.

— Ciara McCarthy October 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of vague

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

Trump’s super intelligence rebrand can ultimately be read in a couple ways, though arguably neither are particularly nuanced or incisive — just further indicative of the daily deluge of stupid.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Once upon a time, the idea that the world was growing stupider was mostly confined to the realm of dyspeptic reactionary polemic.

— James Marriott, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

There’s nothing about the white bedding, dark-wood furniture, and tan carpeting that will knock your socks off—but nothing that will make your toes curl, either.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Guadagnino and screenwriter Simon Rich mold the material from dark humor through technocratic giddiness to sobering horror.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

But the numbers that could give clarity on disabled kids in foster care are harder to come by — partly because of the sometimes hazy definitions of disability but also because of the failure of child welfare providers to even count them.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
As the show became a cultural juggernaut, some criticized its vigilante justice and the hazy line between law enforcement and journalism.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of hazy

Cite this Entry

Style

“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opaque. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of opaque

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes