as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
you're not the only one who finds Einstein's theory of relativity abstruse
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Recent Examples of abstruse
But the turn feels less absurd than abstruse, sudden even, given the film’s prior resistance to laugh at itself.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Kamala Harris’ penchant for strings of abstruse verbiage — popularly known as word salads — was one of several reasons her presidential campaign failed last year.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Also, his estimate arose from abstruse economic formulas and lots of magic asterisks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Into Breaking Its Own Rules To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Kamala Harris’ penchant for strings of abstruse verbiage — popularly known as word salads — was one of several reasons her presidential campaign failed last year.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Also, his estimate arose from abstruse economic formulas and lots of magic asterisks.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Into Breaking Its Own Rules To emphasize the importance of math, Winkler displayed a handful of abstruse equations.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstruse
Adjective
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These projects might seem regional and the structures a little esoteric, but the hope is that figuring out the right structure and then scaling it will unlock projects across Asia and ultimately the world.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
22 May 2026
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Much the same could be said of Amalia’s esoteric delusions.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Born during the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tamar grew up in a nation undergoing profound transformation.—
Tamar Gakharia,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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The fear that courses through immigrant families — even those here legally — could have profound consequences for a generation of American schoolchildren, experts say.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstruse. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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