1
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
an opaque remark that seemed to hint that there would be future retaliation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
people are sometimes rude to her, but fortunately she's too opaque to realize what's happening
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 opaque
Now, researchers are scrambling to survive in a system that’s become both hypercompetitive and opaque.
—
Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
On the right temple, the rocker adjusts the transparency of the exterior lenses from nearly clear to nearly opaque.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Dry out in oven until firm, opaque, and grateable—like a hard cheese (think Gruyère), 1½–2 hours.
—Christopher Kostow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
The market is opaque and elitist.
—Magnus Resch, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
On the right temple, the rocker adjusts the transparency of the exterior lenses from nearly clear to nearly opaque.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Dry out in oven until firm, opaque, and grateable—like a hard cheese (think Gruyère), 1½–2 hours.
—Christopher Kostow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
The market is opaque and elitist.
—Magnus Resch, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opaque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opaque
Adjective
-
And that ambiguous statement raised alarms not just with workers but also with human rights groups such as Amnesty International, which issued a World Cup travel advisory for visitors planning on attending the tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The official public warnings for the next Soyuz rocket launch from Plesetsk were even more ambiguous, covering various periods between April 1 and 15.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps clever legal strategies might find ways to meet the justices’ new standards, or perhaps experts might come up with new metrics to mathematically prove discrimination, even when intent is vague.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
There’s a false perception in pop music that the best way to connect with the masses is to keep things broad — that vague generalizations are easier for people to latch onto.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Does that kind of discourse-friendly success override the fact that Euphoria is too young, too scummy, and too dumb to fit into the usual Emmy pattern?—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
-
And that’s where things somehow got even dumber After being questioned by security, Beyer reportedly gave a fake name, which prompted them to call police.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Eurich later posted a cryptic video to @dumbrblnd on April 21 that followers seemed to think was in reference to Murray.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the weeks before Andrew Lloyd Webber announced the New York staging of his The Phantom of the Opera reboot Masquerade last year, cryptic messages and clues began popping up, not least being the appearance of the masked singer outside the Tony Awards ceremony.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That's because the waning gibbous moon will appear in the sky at the same time, most likely outshining many of the fainter shooting stars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
That's because, as Gray explained, the impact will be too faint for observations.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran — theyr’e not stupid.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
That was celebrated by the lefties as liberation, or something stupid like that.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The book’s cover depicts a hazy sunset over a Hollywood sign that is drowning in floodwaters.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
4 May 2026
-
The immediate aftermath of a split tends to be less clear, a hazy maelstrom that can involve medicinal tubs of ice cream, insomnia by way of intrusive thoughts, and an aversion to wearing anything other than sweats.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opaque. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
