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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opaque
Once shimmering, add the shrimp and cook until opaque and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side (working in batches if necessary, and adding more oil as needed).
—
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
The title change is to tidy up a club structure which, on the recruitment side at least, has seemed opaque, given Andy Howe’s level of influence relative to his previous positions (at least in name).
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 May 2026
With sleight of hand and a pair of milky opaque contacts, Suzanne again successfully summons the man’s dead wife, so much so that he’s inspired to resume painting for the first time since her passing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The music biz feels more opaque to you?
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
The title change is to tidy up a club structure which, on the recruitment side at least, has seemed opaque, given Andy Howe’s level of influence relative to his previous positions (at least in name).
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 May 2026
With sleight of hand and a pair of milky opaque contacts, Suzanne again successfully summons the man’s dead wife, so much so that he’s inspired to resume painting for the first time since her passing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The music biz feels more opaque to you?
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opaque
Adjective
-
Text messages in court records show a brief and ambiguous exchange between McCluskie and Williamson that backs that up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The apparent conflict highlights the ambiguous rules around recall status and its relevance in a trial that’s been peppered with globe-trotting billionaires.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Two Chinese defense companies have issued vague statements that together point to a possible new long-distance shooting record, although neither has provided technical specifications or independently verifiable data.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
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Teenagers often respond better to concrete information than vague warnings.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
In fact, one of my chief complaints about some contemporary thrillers is the feeling that characters are required to do dumb stuff by the unseen hand of the author, just so more crazy twists can happen.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
-
But Williamson isn’t usually dumb.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Thousands of fans have also been engaging with Nikki’s increasingly obsessive, unsettling texts, voice notes and special deliveries after encountering cryptic billboards across Los Angeles and New York, each featuring her obsessive messages alongside a phone number inviting them to reach out.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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The film, which stars Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker tasked with revamping a tired summer camp horror franchise with its cryptic lead played by Gillian Anderson in tow, is set to make its way to theaters this August.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Auroras are surprisingly faint to the naked eye at first, especially during weaker geomagnetic storms, so dark skies make a huge difference.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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That can sound damning with faint praise, with his lack of wins, but people actually mean it.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Most big comedy shows at the fest had a strict no cellphones policy, Seinfeld was content with just reminding us that our friends are all sick of our stupid cellphone videos.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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Don’t eat stupid food, don’t do music in the background.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms In darker hues with lots of hardwood and colorful fabrics, the rooms here don’t fall into your standard contemporary look.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Forty-four of the 89 counties along Route 66 were sundown towns, communities where it was encouraged for Black people to leave before dark — or else.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
But its geological origins are hazy.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Even if my archive was unverifiable or incongruous, the hazy, contradictory landscape of Goodman’s life was the truth of her existence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opaque. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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