ambiguous

adjective

am-ˈbi-gyə-wəs How to pronounce ambiguous (audio)
Definition of ambiguousnext
as in obscure
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the exact reason for the change in plans is ambiguous, but I suspect it has something to do with money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word ambiguous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ambiguous are cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When can cryptic be used instead of ambiguous?

The words cryptic and ambiguous can be used in similar contexts, but cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When would dark be a good substitute for ambiguous?

The words dark and ambiguous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When is it sensible to use enigmatic instead of ambiguous?

The synonyms enigmatic and ambiguous are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When could equivocal be used to replace ambiguous?

While the synonyms equivocal and ambiguous are close in meaning, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

In what contexts can obscure take the place of ambiguous?

Although the words obscure and ambiguous have much in common, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When is vague a more appropriate choice than ambiguous?

While in some cases nearly identical to ambiguous, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

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 ambiguous Deadline’s Full Coverage Of Disney’s D23 Fan Event The VisionQuest also features James Spader as Ultron, Todd Stashwick as the morally ambiguous mercenary Paladin and Faran Tahir reprising his role of Raz from the MCU kickstarter pic Iron Man. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 But that was ambiguous enough for some overeager follow-up reports to mistake the book for the kill-and-tell that many had always assumed Finke would eventually write. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 Worse than that, real-world sensor data is often so ambiguous, incomplete, and riddled with noise that the only way to describe it is borderline chaotic. — David Szondy august 11, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Just below, the most ambiguous passage of the work refuses legibility altogether, blending the whites and grays of the child’s shirt with the tones of her fingers and the blue fabric of the chair behind them. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambiguous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambiguous
  1. cryptic
  2. obscure
  3. enigmatic
  4. vague
  5. unclear
  6. mysterious
  7. murky
Adjective
  • McEwen offered a cryptic tease about what audiences can expect.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the ambassador retorts with evasion, keeping the language cryptic.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • Given most late-summer midterm-election-year weakness has been more than recovered right afterward, the proper course of action now becomes even more obscure.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In many cases, the robot tail wags the living dog by tricking it—tricking us—into caring about obscure metrics, then gamifying the process of improving them.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • For the next 90 days, NASA teams will ready the Roman telescope for its five-year mission to study enigmatic phenomena like dark matter while hunting for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Matt, whose perspective is largely withheld, remains the most enigmatic of the group, and the one most desperately sought after.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • The Fed chairman, who took charge of the central bank in May, is deliberately vague, saying investors and businesses should watch what's happening in the economy, not in the policymaking corridors of Washington.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Senate proposal also includes measures to try and lighten the loads on Californians’ utility bills, though again, details remain vague.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • The RealReal declined to disclose the underlying search counts or specific thresholds, leaving the size of the starting bases unclear.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Attacking reinforcements appear to be the priority now, although the exact identity or specific positions those recruits play in remains unclear.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • Add the mysterious departure of the younger Belichick and that only adds more to Craig’s plate.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Elizabeth, less inclined to anatomize herself in writing, remains the more mysterious force.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • The presence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, deep sleeper Kaytron Allen and White may make the Commanders backfield murkier than the Reflecting Pool, but their roles are clearer than most suspect.
    — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The situation is also murky for those living outside their favorite team’s region.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of murky

Browse Nearby Words

ambiguity
ambiguous
ambiguously
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Cite this Entry

“Ambiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambiguous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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