UNINTELLIGIBLE Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

unintelligible

adjective

ˌən-in-ˈte-lə-jə-bəl

Definition of unintelligible

as in incomprehensible

impossible to understand uttered only a string of unintelligible murmurs

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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 unintelligible Assuming viewers understood the history of English soccer — or even the offside rule — could make the broadcasts unintelligible for new fans who understood neither. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Incomplete, corrupted, untimely, or unintelligible Submissions or Submission Forms will be disqualified. — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 When the surveillance footage resumes about an hour later, a man can be heard shouting, but the words are unintelligible, and a vehicle horn sounds. — Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026 Claypool’s voice, formerly a sharp and declarative figure in the mix, slinks down into silty waters, often unintelligible and almost always emotionally ambiguous. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintelligible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintelligible

Adjective

Across cultures and eras, fashion has served as a means of reflecting on this universal human experience, giving tangible form to the otherwise incomprehensible.

— Livia Caligor, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
Days before the openings, the prospect of showing across his hometown still seemed to Hodges about as incomprehensible as a dream.

— Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of incomprehensible

Adjective

The series pairs its lavish costumes and sets with visual effects to build its fantasy world, including Queen, a mysterious bird with whom Navier forms a bond.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
Away from the elections, the briefing covers a new boom in fossil fuels driven by Big Tech and the latest research on the mysterious rise of colorectal cancer among young people.

— Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

Berg, working with DP Jacques Jouffret, favors close shots that force us to experience battle much like our heroes do, as confusing, terrifying bursts of mayhem.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
However, by creating official federal standards for their color, brightness, and location, NHTSA wants to make sure that any automaker who chooses to add them uses a consistent, legal setup instead of a confusing mix of different colors and signals.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusing

Adjective

Dowler-Guerrero said Raman had an uncanny ability to get people organized and always had an unwavering belief in her own ability to get things done.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The suggestion is that the algorithms responsible for animating his uncanny likeness have also managed to bring him back from the dead, reassembling him piece by piece.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncanny

Adjective

Then, on October 26, a member of Parliament—who happened to be the brother-in-law of one of the conspirators—received a cryptic, anonymous letter.

— Lucia Barnum, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026
The news arrives after a cryptic graphic teasing the tour was posted on Instagram, featuring imagery from The Great Divide.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of cryptic

Adjective

That database was paltry compared with those assembled by AI developers today, but even then computers had become repositories of the esoteric facts one found in reference works and textbooks.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
The Linotype might seem like an esoteric subject for a book published in 2026.

— Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of esoteric

Adjective

But the Broncos aren’t just about putting the ball in the back of the net — their defense has allowed just six goals all season and is led by near-impenetrable sophomore goalkeeper Ava de Leest.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
Even top experts have found OpenAI’s proof of blowup to be completely impenetrable.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of impenetrable

Adjective

From that moment forward, Vision was dead, and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) was cast into unfathomable grief and not-so-repressed anger.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026
From 2008 to 2011, Moore went an unfathomable 50-3 as Boise State’s starting quarterback.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026