1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
the many inscrutable beliefs of that ancient religion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
ancient oracles typically uttered inscrutable prophecies that could be interpreted almost any way one chose
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inscrutable
But compromises like these might be unavoidable in an era of such inscrutable excess.
—
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
Great eight: Slot picks decisive moments of Liverpool title win
(Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
Arne Slot is an inscrutable guy.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Automatic bids would provide a layer of protection for the blue bloods from the whims of a committee that uses an inscrutable process.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
The question is how much value Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s inscrutable top executive, who rarely talks with media, would take from a trophy.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
Great eight: Slot picks decisive moments of Liverpool title win
(Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
Arne Slot is an inscrutable guy.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Automatic bids would provide a layer of protection for the blue bloods from the whims of a committee that uses an inscrutable process.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
The question is how much value Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s inscrutable top executive, who rarely talks with media, would take from a trophy.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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More Miguel Rodriguez/Getty Images What's so mysterious about a team playing well?—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
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Years after gaining superpowers from being bombarded by cosmic rays in space, the astronauts-turned-superheroes face a new threat when the mysterious Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), heralds the coming of the world-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Automate routine monitoring, but require cross-functional review for ambiguous or high-impact alerts, providing clear explanations.—
Dr. Chiranjiv Roy,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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At times, though, there’s nothing ambiguous or veiled in his work.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The Wall Street Journal reported in the evening on July 17 that Trump sent Epstein a lewd, cryptic letter for his 50th birthday.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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Fans began speculating what all of the cryptic posts might signal, with some social media users suggesting the possibility of the pair remastering and releasing their 1973 album.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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In order to produce so many shows, Marvel had to mine the depths of its archives which led to productions based on obscure characters that many fans didn't care about.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Provider tax The bill includes a rather obscure change that could cost the state millions of dollars and, in turn, a reduction in services.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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This enigmatic character used his power to control the time-stream in a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths scenario to create a smaller universe with only two populated planets: our Earth and Krypton.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
17 July 2025
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Other notable cast members include John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore; Paapa Essiedu as enigmatic potions professor Severus Snape; and Lox Pratt as Hogwarts bully Draco Malfoy.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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There is also a slightly uncanny aspect to FedEx that felt fitting.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
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Not so long ago in a living room not too far away, an uncanny replica of K-2SO stands at seven-feet tall in front of Ermer Twano’s television set.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Transformed into a swan by the evil sorcerer Rothbart, Odette and Siegfried's love faces an impossible battle against dark forces.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
22 July 2025
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The other dark money entity paying for ads that promote a candidate is 5Plus1, which has been spending oodles on billboards and campaign literature mailed to Detroiters that promote Sheffield, the city council president.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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The man from Osaka’s right arm is almost mystic, like one of California’s solemn redwoods.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
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Further projects include psychological thriller The Olive Press, set in the mystic world of the Druze community in Mount Lebanon, from writer and director Samah El Kadi, and co-written by Nadim Chammas.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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