1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of opaque
Our designers are predicting a shift towards more opaque palettes featuring olive greens, chocolate browns, deep, muted variations of red, and off-white hues, much like those seen in the 2026 colors of the year.
—
Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
When algorithmic decisions appear opaque, even marginal errors can provoke disproportionate distrust.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The opaque process to select the next UN Secretary-General also takes place over the coming year, with the successful candidate formally taking up their post on 1 January 2027.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 31 Dec. 2025
Semi-opaque white tips melt into a translucent shade of ivory on this clean and classic set.
—Taylor Augustin Littlejohn, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
When algorithmic decisions appear opaque, even marginal errors can provoke disproportionate distrust.
—Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The opaque process to select the next UN Secretary-General also takes place over the coming year, with the successful candidate formally taking up their post on 1 January 2027.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 31 Dec. 2025
Semi-opaque white tips melt into a translucent shade of ivory on this clean and classic set.
—Taylor Augustin Littlejohn, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opaque
Adjective
-
Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.—
Ben Jones,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.—
Ben Jones,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The championship standard isn’t volleyed about in vague terms.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s presence there, however, gave the delegates confidence to endow the presidency with vague and expansive powers.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Okay, there's trying something new and then there's just being dumb.—
Samantha Highfill,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Why portray Dorothy as a doe-eyed ding-a-ling; as not just naive but dumb?—
Lili Anolik,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
By contrast, fringe subcultures operate in a more cryptic and chaotic manner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Heeding these cryptic words some three decades later, the audacious (and well-read) impresario Tony Wilson opened the Haçienda together with the circle of post-punk musicians and designers involved with his label, Factory Records.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These atoms scatter ultraviolet sunlight, forming a faint halo around Earth.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The constant food noise went from being a screaming voice in my head to a faint whisper.—
SELF Staff,
SELF,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Set in a perpetually sunny, idealized England vaguely between the wars, The Code of the Woosters concerns the misadventures of man-about-town Bertie Wooster (stupid, amiable, rich) and his impeccably helpful valet Jeeves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
At Amiri’s trial last year, Manly-Williams was brushed off by the defense as the stupidest witness prosecutors presented.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Don't feel afraid to play with bold (but dark) colors and various materials.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Open my soul to the vast dark places.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Thanks to a new TikTok hazy purple-blue filter inspired by the year, 2016 is suddenly all the rage.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Its narrator performs a hazy nonchalance toward death and redemption.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opaque. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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