1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the oracle offered only cryptic predictions that could be interpreted any number of different ways
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cryptic
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
In the days leading up to the show, Tyler hinted at a surprise set for July 21 by posting cryptic images on his Instagram, including a Louis Vuitton bag, a mannequin’s head and a trumpet player in a band uniform.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 July 2025
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
The Duchess of Sussex posted a cryptic post about birthdays on her social media accounts, prompting royal fans to see if the royal family is one step closer to reconciliation.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptic
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 19 July 2025
In the days leading up to the show, Tyler hinted at a surprise set for July 21 by posting cryptic images on his Instagram, including a Louis Vuitton bag, a mannequin’s head and a trumpet player in a band uniform.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 July 2025
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
The Duchess of Sussex posted a cryptic post about birthdays on her social media accounts, prompting royal fans to see if the royal family is one step closer to reconciliation.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cryptic
Adjective
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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
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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
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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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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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
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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
Adjective
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With his strange machines and an uncanny, intuitive understanding of muscles, Joseph Pilates created a new technique for improving strength and movement.—
Alma Guillermoprieto,
The New York Review of Books,
31 July 2025
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The uncanny aspects of the film, first seen in a prologue in which a pair of search dogs becomes abnormally obsessed with each other after venturing into the cavern, initially manifest for Millie and Tim as a strange stickiness.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 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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For a woman who devotes herself to God is a mystic, whereas a woman who lusts after a mortal man is a fool.—
Terry Nguyen
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Cryptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cryptic. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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