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
While others have shared my friend’s experience, a variety of factors—water temperature, visibility, the inscrutable whims of these mysterious creatures—can make spotting them a challenge.
—
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
The Cast Paints a Picture Several former SNL cast members weigh in during the trailer, and their comments sketch a portrait of a boss who is equal parts revered and inscrutable.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Leo, while distinct in style from his predecessor and still somewhat inscrutable, could broadly be described as Francis’ choice.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
The answer deals with vast distances, inscrutable forces and the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
The Cast Paints a Picture Several former SNL cast members weigh in during the trailer, and their comments sketch a portrait of a boss who is equal parts revered and inscrutable.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Leo, while distinct in style from his predecessor and still somewhat inscrutable, could broadly be described as Francis’ choice.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
The answer deals with vast distances, inscrutable forces and the ultimate fate of the cosmos.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
Adjective
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Many joked that the clip explained years of mysterious toy discoveries beneath their own furniture.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Unfortunately, Grace can’t see into the mysterious, opaque little organisms until a dead one becomes translucent.—
Deana L. Weibel,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Event-betting markets flourish in ambiguous or unevenly-enforced legal environments.—
Kelli María Korducki,
thehustle.co,
3 Apr. 2026
-
War is about politics—and therefore, objectives, which are particularly political, are often ambiguous and subject to change.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Investigators later linked the device to materials recovered from Zheng’s home and a burner phone used to place a cryptic 911 call warning about the bomb.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The news arrives after months of Rodrigo teasing new music, most recently a cryptic hotline message that alluded to this year’s pink moon, which occurred on April 2.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Lyrics in the song include clear references to Taylor’s life and style, and also some more obscure Easter-egg-type reference.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The 1999 film, shot primarily in Seattle, starred Julia Stiles as the fiercely independent Kat Stratford, Larisa Oleynik as her sister, Bianca, and Heath Ledger as the enigmatic Patrick Verona.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Salahuddin plays the enigmatic leader of the titular cult, with Strassner as lovable cult member Toddrick.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yet, Tory Burch has always had the uncanny ability to peer into the future and unlock our unconscious desires.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Nuggets’ forwards have an uncanny habit of getting hurt all at once.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mystic chords that bind us together matter more than any policy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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Operating within those parameters, the mystic outlands trend extends to some of the world’s most mesmerizing corners.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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