esoteric

adjective

ˌe-sə-ˈter-ik How to pronounce esoteric (audio)
Definition of esotericnext
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

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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

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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 The idea that casual audiences on TV — people who weren’t gamers willing to grind to 100 percent completion to unlock an esoteric, secret two-minute cutscene ending — was almost unthinkable. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026 Microwave Cooking Gear Some of my essentials so far capture the more esoteric elements of touring life, but this is strictly practical. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026 Not in the esoteric way that speaks to intellectuals and insiders. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026 Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost opened an esoteric window to prime-time viewers with the concept of the Black Lodge. — Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
  1. profound
  2. confidential
  3. scholarly
  4. private
  5. secret
  6. undisclosed
Adjective
  • The authors argue that this has profound implications for composite materials in general.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Twenty-nine years have passed since then, yet the memory of the princess—an empathetic woman who defied convention, vulnerable yet rebellious, and imbued with a profound humanity—remains vivid and very much alive in the eyes of the entire world.
    — Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of profound
Adjective
  • The issue becomes much more serious if someone with confidential advance knowledge uses that information for personal financial gain.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In May 2022, the SEC said, Wolfe contacted Satsky seeking confidential updates on the regulatory approval process.
    — Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • Some are scholarly, some deliciously indiscreet, all are perceptive in one way or another, and one plunges wholesale into obsession.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The menu is a scholarly affair, with drinks organized by decade and, beyond that, origin location.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of scholarly
Adjective
  • Some are worried about the legal implications of handling such large quantities of previously private game builds as well.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In the village of Bilbasovka in eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old child and an adult died after Russian troops dropped bombs on private houses Sunday, according to local official Vadim Lyakh.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Back at school, Thom hangs out on the bleachers for a secret meeting with the creepy home invader from Robert’s party.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Parton has several posthumous projects to look forward to, one of which is a secret song.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • Horton has not practiced recently due to an undisclosed injury and was not on the practice field on Sunday.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Its computing power in TOPS, or trillions of operations per second, remains undisclosed.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of undisclosed

Browse Nearby Words

esculent
esoteric
esotericism
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Cite this Entry

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

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