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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arcane
Under arcane California rules, if a party’s statewide voter registration numbers dropped below a certain threshold, that party’s candidates couldn’t be on a ballot.
—
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Uncovering the arcane secrets of the game's multiple environmental blocks is often far from obvious and rewards players who like to experiment and explore.
—Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
As a coach, Rooney also showed an interest in studying MLS’ complex and often arcane roster rules and regulations, something many foreign coaches have had little appetite for.
—Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
At the moment, all 14 avalanche centers exist within the Forest Service’s arcane management structure of regional forests and ranger districts.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for arcane
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Uncovering the arcane secrets of the game's multiple environmental blocks is often far from obvious and rewards players who like to experiment and explore.
—Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
As a coach, Rooney also showed an interest in studying MLS’ complex and often arcane roster rules and regulations, something many foreign coaches have had little appetite for.
—Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
At the moment, all 14 avalanche centers exist within the Forest Service’s arcane management structure of regional forests and ranger districts.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for arcane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcane
Adjective
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However, this narrative framing device — which often loops back on itself, as a dreamlike film within the film — is merely an anchor for a more elliptical, esoteric narrative about personal and political history.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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The line out the door looked like diners waiting for tables — blue Dodgers hats, oversize vintage button-downs, esoteric diner T-shirts — but this was a crew of volunteer drivers who’d signed up on Instagram.—
Tejal Rao,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Tell me more about the album’s title—is it supposed to be a little cryptic?—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
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Prologue was first announced in 2019 with a cryptic trailer that showed a first-person view of a storm crashing through a dark forest.—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The investigation finds Reacher smack dab in the center of a mysterious rug import business called Bizarre Bazaar.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
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The world’s waters are deep and mysterious places, and the best fishermen are good at keeping secrets.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Keith remains to a large degree elusive, but Magaro subtly gives us insight into what drives his artistry, which is then augmented by Watts’ observations, from a critic’s P.O.V., and those of Manfred, a protective friend and professional associate with a profound respect for Jarrett’s gifts.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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This change has been accompanied by profound cultural change, with food and practices generally associated with Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries becoming more common in the state.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Issues like ambiguous requirements cause misalignment and rework, while inadequate testing environments delay validation and debugging.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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So this is in a very ambiguous state in an ambiguous country, and her mother’s illness is ambiguous.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Founded on the ethos of art as a form of mystic healing, the label reimagines the family heirloom—and invites its patrons to examine their relationship with objects.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
3 Feb. 2025
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Healy Lake members have long considered their dogs to be mystic companions, according to Combs.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Customers can make an appointment to browse the merchandise, including furniture, jewelry, silver, and obscure objects from around the globe, before placing their bids in the auctions, which are held exclusively online.—
Frances MacDougall,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
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Players carry fake guns – such as water pistols – while concealing their identities and running through areas and hiding in obscure places.—
Julia Bonavita,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Du Maurier makes good use of many of the usual tropes of the Gothic genre, especially uncanny doubling: Relentlessly and unfavorably compared to the Manderley estate’s bewitching former mistress, the nameless narrator is pushed to the brink of sanity by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers.—
M.L. Rio,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
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Those retouching features can look uncanny, though, and are processor-intensive.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arcane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcane. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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