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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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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Recent Examples of inscrutable
With an inscrutable painting, René Magritte – the Belgian Surrealist painter – breaks a nine-figure threshold at Christie’s fall auction.
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Alex Marshall, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Though far from a household name, VeriSign takes in about $1.5 billion in revenue each year for servicing its particular section of the internet’s inscrutable plumbing.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
The number of pages in the inscrutable Code of Federal Regulations has rocketed past 200,000.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2024
But the minds of theater kids, twisted and inscrutable, have found more ways to enhance their moviegoing experience.
—James Factora, Them, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inscrutable 
Alex Marshall, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Though far from a household name, VeriSign takes in about $1.5 billion in revenue each year for servicing its particular section of the internet’s inscrutable plumbing.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
The number of pages in the inscrutable Code of Federal Regulations has rocketed past 200,000.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2024
But the minds of theater kids, twisted and inscrutable, have found more ways to enhance their moviegoing experience.
—James Factora, Them, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inscrutable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inscrutable
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Read more Map shows LeBron James' home surrounded by Los Angeles fires Bill Skarsgård's mysterious Count Orlok unveiled in new look at Nosferatu California wildfires push insurance crisis to 'new level' Newsweek has contacted PomegranateDry4848 comment via Reddit.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
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The mysterious news promised by the Grammy winner was initially set to go live on Tuesday (Jan. 14).DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 15 Jan. 2025
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Below, Gersten opens up about her reaction to Anderson’s casting, the meaning behind the purposefully ambiguous ending, Curtis’ memorable dance number, and more.Mike Miller, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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When a statute is ambiguous, Congress has left a gap for the agency to fill.Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Hill spoke to the media following the loss, offering cryptic responses about the future of his playing for the Dolphins.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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On Monday, the actor shared a cryptic post on his Instagram about his decision to pass on the role of Neo in the original Matrix with a few interesting questions.Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2025
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In 2019, creative director Michael Goldberg stumbled upon an obscure website reference to Luna Luna, and spearheaded the effort to resurrect the art-adventure park, enlisting Canadian rapper, singer, and actor Drake, who invested $100 million with his entertainment company, DreamCrew.Natasha Gural, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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In between catchy dances and obscure trends, TikTok has become a life-changing platform for many.Sara Belcher, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
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Häagen-Dazs More News: Cowboys' Jerry Jones Set to Bring Back Mike McCarthy as Head Coach Häagen-Dazs, the premium ice cream brand with the pseudo-European name, has joined the Super Bowl ad club for the first time ever and dropped an enigmatic teaser featuring...a Chevy.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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Echevarría also had turns as the enigmatic British agent Raoul, who doubles as the manager of a Havana cigar factory, in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002), and as Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna in John Lee Hancock’s The Alamo (2004).Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The uncanny resilience of U.S. power lies in its structural strengths.Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
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While soon-to-be-superstar Patrick Mahomes was spending 2017 as an apprentice behind Alex Smith, another quarterback phenom was dazzling the NFL with his exceptional arm and uncanny ability to improvise and extend plays.Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025
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The resultant movie — a dark, gooey masterpiece — would forever alter Carpenter’s fortunes in Hollywood.Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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The photos illuminate a dark planet scientists are eager to learn more about.Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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But there is also the slow minimalism of Morton Feldman and the manic yet patient seeking of Italy’s mystic count Giacinto Scelsi, in the twentieth century.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
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Their science was expansive, allowing room for philosophy and poetry, for a mystic realm that reason cannot reach.Ida Momennejad, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near inscrutable
Cite this Entry
“Inscrutable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inscrutable. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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