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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vague different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and obscure. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

When could ambiguous be used to replace vague?

Although the words ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When would cryptic be a good substitute for vague?

While in some cases nearly identical to vague, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague?

The synonyms dark and vague are sometimes interchangeable, but dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

In what contexts can enigmatic take the place of vague?

The words enigmatic and vague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When might equivocal be a better fit than vague?

While the synonyms equivocal and vague are close in meaning, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

When can obscure be used instead of vague?

The words obscure and vague can be used in similar contexts, but obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

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 vague And if that's even a vague worry, make sure to clarify that point ahead of time and maybe leave a porta-potty at the base of the ladder. New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025 Public dollars for busing private students Advocates for public education argue Ohio’s transportation mandates are inflexible, vague and expensive. Fortune, 6 Sep. 2025 The lack of standardized, athlete-specific protocols leaves many in limbo, forced to choose between vague caution and their own intuition. Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 However, details of what the spending may entail remain somewhat vague. Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vague
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vague
Adjective
  • How often rape suspects avoid prosecution as a result is unclear.
    Willoughby Mariano, ProPublica, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The extent of damage to the target, however, remains unclear.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This character development does not really land, however, and Mersault becomes increasingly hazy, disappearing into a cloud of abstraction in the third act.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
  • People take pictures with the Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas sign under hazy orange skies as the sun sets in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 29, 2023.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike Europe's clear regulatory framework under PSD2, American enterprises operate in a more ambiguous environment where implementation decisions must account for evolving compliance requirements and uncertain regulatory timelines.
    Dave Glaser, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Dani's on-again, off-again relationship with playboy photographer Andre — who's also her sister's ex's nephew — has become more ambiguous than ever in recent weeks.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Applebee’s recently managed its first quarter of same-store sales growth after eight consecutive declines, a faint improvement, but one that pales in comparison to the surge at Chili’s or the steady gains at Olive Garden.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • This leads to signals that are often faint, easily drowned out by background noise, and difficult to isolate in complex biological environments such as blood or tissue.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Nest Cam 2-pack works indoors or outdoors, runs on batteries, and actually shows super clear HD footage instead of just fuzzy blobs.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
  • That can translate into a workplace where expectations are fuzzy and leadership lacks direction.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One moment, the Sound of Sleat is a sheet of silver under a pale sun; the next, wind drives rain sideways into the distillery’s courtyard, rattling the pagoda roof.
    Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Curiosity and possibly even lust play into their first encounter; part of the welcome complexity between this pale-skinned woman of substance and this tall, equally alabaster, formerly dead drink of water is the ambiguity in their initial interactions.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Gray tones, blacks, murky greens, and of course, the midnight blue complete the look.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • But after that, things get murky.
    Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For instance, in a now obscure 1944 speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt argued that the American Revolution remained an incomplete project.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Department and team-level metrics expose inefficiency that company-wide averages often obscure.
    Heidi Farris, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vague.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vague. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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