ambiguous

adjective

am-ˈbi-gyə-wəs How to pronounce ambiguous (audio)
Definition of ambiguousnext
as in obscure
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the exact reason for the change in plans is ambiguous, but I suspect it has something to do with money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ambiguous are cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When can cryptic be used instead of ambiguous?

The words cryptic and ambiguous can be used in similar contexts, but cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When would dark be a good substitute for ambiguous?

The words dark and ambiguous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When is it sensible to use enigmatic instead of ambiguous?

The synonyms enigmatic and ambiguous are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When could equivocal be used to replace ambiguous?

While the synonyms equivocal and ambiguous 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

In what contexts can obscure take the place of ambiguous?

Although the words obscure and ambiguous have much in common, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When is vague a more appropriate choice than ambiguous?

While in some cases nearly identical to ambiguous, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

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 ambiguous Matter, antimatter, and the final confirmation For higher-momentum particles where energy-loss measurements become ambiguous, ALICE adds Time-Of-Flight (TOF)—a third detector. —Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026 Learning how to wrestle with an issue like AI, which is ambiguous and undecided, is the whole point of an education undertaken in the liberal tradition. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026 Sins of Kujo, adapted from Shohei Manabe’s manga, casts Yuya Yagira as a morally ambiguous lawyer who defends society’s most reprehensible figures, a dark, adult-skewing legal drama. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026 Norton praised Wilde for embracing the collaborative process, noting that many directors wouldn’t be brave enough to embrace such an ambiguous situation. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambiguous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambiguous
  1. obscure
  2. enigmatic
  3. vague
  4. mysterious
  5. unclear
  6. murky
  7. cryptic
  8. mystic
Adjective
  • Malcolm’s subjects are very old-school, doctrinaire, rigid Freudian psychoanalysts who get involved in impossibly obscure academic debates.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
  • But then last January, an obscure AI startup named DeepSeek released a generative AI platform, R1, which was comparable to ChatGPT but purporting to use just a fraction of Nvidia’s bleeding-edge chips.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Not as a political or media figure — her own ideological preferences remain as enigmatic as her personality — but as a branding opportunity.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The Okavango Delta is one of those places, an enigmatic wetland that disappears into the Kalahari Desert and is home to the world’s largest remaining elephant population — a wilderness beyond comparison.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • But ask them the why of this business, and the answers are usually vague.
    — Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Sheinbaum has been incredibly vague about where her country stood, and this week has given roundabout and ambiguous answers to inquiries about the shipments, and dodged reporters questions in her morning press briefings.
    — Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • The other is a smaller, more mysterious handheld chunk of willow or poplar wood that may have been used to shape stone tools, according to research published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • But when a mysterious woman opens The Grand Lisbon restaurant, his glittering world begins to fracture, exposing the fragile balance between success, memory, and longing.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Maybe weekly status updates are inconsistent, decisions get delayed because of unclear responsibilities or communication across departments stalls because of missing context.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Experts told Fox News Digital that while many details remain unclear, the scope of the apparent purge points to mounting instability under Chinese President Xi Jinping, with potential implications for regional security and rising tensions around Taiwan.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • Trump’s is a bold prediction, and one belied by the fact that the revolution founded by Fidel Castro in the 1950s has survived all manner of murky CIA assassination plots and decades of economic arm twisting.
    — Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The legality of doing so, however, remains murky as the fate of a follow-up bill known as the Clarity Act—which has big potential implications for stablecoins—remains unclear.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • Bryony hopes that sharing her story will help spread awareness about cryptic pregnancies, or stealth pregnancies.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Disco, Occasionally, the British superstar’s fourth studio album that’s been teased via a creeping, ongoing rollout with cryptic posters, a WhatsApp chat, listening sessions in indie record shops and a series of city residencies in place of a sprawling global tour.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • Although Nuccio is as down to earth as anyone could be, and definitely not a mystic, there can be no disputing his stature as a remarkable man.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Madonna was born and raised Catholic but has long practiced the Jewish mystic tradition of Kabbalah and adopted the Hebrew name Esther in 2004, per The Forward.
    — Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Definition of mystic

Browse Nearby Words

ambiguity
ambiguous
ambiguously
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Cite this Entry

“Ambiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambiguous. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ambiguous for Spanish Speakers

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