1
as in profound
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
metaphysics is such an esoteric subject that most people are content to leave it to the philosophers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
must have had some esoteric motive for leaving his art collection to a museum halfway around the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of esoteric
Much the same could be said of Amalia’s esoteric delusions.
—
Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
The 33-year-old son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg — known for an esoteric social media presence and a sporadic work history — is vying for the NY-12 House seat.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
For decades, proof complexity researchers have studied esoteric questions that seem more closely linked to mathematical logic than to any other area of computer science.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026
Diagnosed by an esoteric rabbi as possessed by his father’s dybbuk, Bernardo must exorcise the spirit and face adulthood.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
The 33-year-old son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg — known for an esoteric social media presence and a sporadic work history — is vying for the NY-12 House seat.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
For decades, proof complexity researchers have studied esoteric questions that seem more closely linked to mathematical logic than to any other area of computer science.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 11 May 2026
Diagnosed by an esoteric rabbi as possessed by his father’s dybbuk, Bernardo must exorcise the spirit and face adulthood.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
Adjective
-
In a profound culmination of decades of grassroots advocacy, in 2023 the Blackfeet Nation released a herd of 48 buffalo near Chief Mountain, the first to roam freely on Blackfoot territory in over 150 years.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Sam Cunningham—Great fullback who had a profound effect on college football.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Washington simply stopped issuing and renewing confidential plates in October 2025, and Massachusetts did the same, cutting off ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agencies from privileges in early 2026.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
However, a situation recently arose where James shared confidential information with our boss – information he wasn’t supposed to have.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Astrology, a pursuit that hovers in the nebulous space between science and storytelling, is not exactly a robust academic field, and LaFaive had no scholarly studies of Goodman’s life or work to consult.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Born to a humble family in the twilight years of the shogunate, Higuchi Natsuko (as she was born) was the fourth child and second daughter of a man with scholarly inclinations, who as a farmer had come to the capital to seek both fortune and rank.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Its 23 spacious rooms and suites, all with terraces or private gardens, have spectacular sea views and are nestled into a ridge overlooking a secluded cove near the medieval hilltop village of Ramatuelle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
It is embedded within the city’s historic Jackson Park, a decision that was met with legal battles as an environmental group sued the City of Chicago for allowing a private project to be built on public land.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The menu is full of twists-on-classics such as the Clean Dirty Martini, served with a frozen cube of olive juice, and the Ritz Pimms with, of course, many secret ingredients in addition to ginger ale, Champagne, and garnishes of fruit, cucumber, fresh mint and griottine cherries.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
The story follows a furniture store owner (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who finds a secret doorway that leads him to a seemingly endless stretch of nondescript rooms.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the daughter, ended in multiple undisclosed settlements.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
The center, at an undisclosed location, also serves as a reunification spot for children and their guardians.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Esoteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esoteric. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
