1
as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
grammatical rules that seem arcane to generations of students who were never taught grammar in the first place
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2
as in cryptic
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
the rebate form uses arcane language, the only purpose of which seems to be to disqualify buyers from actually getting a rebate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain
my predecessor in this job obviously had his own arcane system for filing things, and so I haven't a clue as to where anything is
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of arcane
What might look like a great sale on a GPU or gaming keyboard can turn out to be a bad deal because of some arcane spec that only the most die-hard forum-dwellers understand.
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Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Mediation briefs, pleadings, depositions and expert reports can be relevant, and sometimes there is more arcane evidence.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Illinois has the most local governments in the nation, multiplying the chances for corruption
Illinois’ arcane ballot rules turn politics into a blood sport where only the most powerful and savvy survive
Chicago police bet big on pricey surveillance cameras.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024
In their initial explorations, the biologists, clad in their yellow gloves, carried out a series of ever more arcane rituals.
—Jeff Vandermeer, WIRED, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for arcane 
Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
Mediation briefs, pleadings, depositions and expert reports can be relevant, and sometimes there is more arcane evidence.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Illinois has the most local governments in the nation, multiplying the chances for corruption
Illinois’ arcane ballot rules turn politics into a blood sport where only the most powerful and savvy survive
Chicago police bet big on pricey surveillance cameras.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024
In their initial explorations, the biologists, clad in their yellow gloves, carried out a series of ever more arcane rituals.
—Jeff Vandermeer, WIRED, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for arcane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcane
Adjective
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The site, called Encore, aggregates items from hundreds of resale websites and helps shoppers find esoteric and unique items—the proverbial needles in the haystack.Elissaveta M. Brandon, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024
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Numerology is an ancient esoteric science dealing with numbers and letters and the energy, intention and vibration associated with them, says Wilder.Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The teaser ends on a cryptic note, showing an unknown bloodied woman (played by series newcomer Hilary Swank), running down the side of the road from an unseen threat.Abby Monteil, Them, 9 Dec. 2024
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That math is a bunch of cryptic symbols on a piece of paper.Kelsey Houston-Edwards, WIRED, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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President-elect Donald Trump said U.S. government officials, including President Joe Biden, know where the mysterious drone sightings along the East Coast are coming and going from, accusing the leaders without evidence of intentionally keeping those details from the public.Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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Heinrich, who was filling in for host Shannon Bream, suggested that the mysterious drone situation could possibly be like when the Japanese spied on the U.S. before launching a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base near Honolulu on December 7, 1941.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Mental Shift One of the most profound impacts of longer, healthier lives is the need to reframe perceptions of aging.Andrew Rosen, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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Having experienced the profound impact of camp first-hand, Michael’s mission grew, now including a commitment to help others excel in the industry while finding the meaning that was once missing from their work.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This was later pulled back and made more ambiguous, but still, the setting and enemy mecha do pretty much squarely place it before the game even if the story elements are now less specific.Ollie Barder, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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Whether or not Margo was actually having an affair with her teenage neighbor is intended to be ambiguous, according to Feldman.TIME, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Recognized as one of India’s, and perhaps the world’s 50 most influential people, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, environmental activist, poet, and the bestselling author of over thirty books.Mandeep Rai, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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The show is a mystic library, full of places that no longer exist.Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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From 1981—nearly three months before MTV’s own debut, in fact—until 1988, Night Flight was a subcultural beacon, broadcasting not just obscure music videos but also documentaries like Another State of Mind and Urgh!Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 9 Dec. 2024
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His friends ask to see his top artists — some obvious ones (Kendrick Lamar) then some more obscure choices.EW.com, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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An eighth-grader cross-legged on the floor of his parents’ bedroom, clicking the channel to IFC and finding the trio of uncanny coincidences that make up the film’s prologue.Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
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The video should appear at once utterly convincing, ensuring that the effect of the transition into the live stage scene that follows feels somehow uncanny.Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near arcane
Cite this Entry
“Arcane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcane. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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