ambiguous

adjective

am-ˈbi-gyə-wəs How to pronounce ambiguous (audio)
Definition of ambiguousnext
as in cryptic
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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ambiguous information
ambivalent information
uncertain information
vague information
unclear information
inconclusive information
an ambiguous attitude
an ambivalent attitude
an enigmatic attitude
an ambient attitude
an elusive attitude
an indecisive attitude
an ambiguous legacy
a mixed legacy
a controversial legacy
a questionable legacy
a contradictory legacy
an uncertain legacy
an ambiguous statement
a vague statement
a nebulous statement
a mysterious statement
a cryptic statement
an imprecise statement
an ambiguous position
an indeterminable position
an unspecified position
an indecisive position
an undefined position
an uncertain position

Synonym Chooser

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 Like an ambiguous game of telephone, messages get lost in translation when Mercury squares Jupiter, and no one’s quite sure what’s going on! —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025 Or does so only briefly in the ambiguous ending, when Sofia throws off the last vestiges of her passivity and forces her recalcitrant mother into a reckoning with her condition. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025 Issues like ambiguous requirements cause misalignment and rework, while inadequate testing environments delay validation and debugging. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 So this is in a very ambiguous state in an ambiguous country, and her mother’s illness is ambiguous. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambiguous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambiguous
  1. cryptic
  2. obscure
  3. dark
  4. enigmatic
  5. vague
  6. mysterious
  7. unclear
  8. murky
Adjective
  • Women possessed by the gods were oracles, predicting the future in cryptic utterances.
    — Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Escher String Quartet Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs The Escher String Quartet, named for the cryptic artist M.C. Escher, performs pieces by Ravel, Mendelssohn and Mozart on March 4 at 7:30 p.m. $39, $37 seniors, free for students and youth.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • After years in obscure so-so movies playing Chopin and Byron, and in some respectable Merchant Ivory ones, the surprise star of last year's Four Weddings and a Funeral and this year's Nine Months and The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain has lately been having a bad life.
    — Candace Bushnell, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Everything feels absurd and animated by obscure cosmic forces.
    — Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • An open-wide view is way more important than a dark sky.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • But doctors have begun to suspect that this year's flu season—the most severe in over 15 years—has taken a yet darker turn for children.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • Despite its enigmatic nature, Rafflesia species have long been used for medicinal purposes by Indigenous Peoples and, more recently, as a source of revenue generated by ecotourism.
    — GrrlScientist, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Presiding over this enigmatic establishment is La Flaca, the city’s Grim Reaper, who challenges patrons to gamble years of their lives in hopes of altering their destinies.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • Asking about frustrations in a broad, theoretical sense is too vague to elicit actionable insights.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Forcing schools to teach only the views supported by the federal government amounts to a violation of free speech, the organizations say, and the directive is so vague that schools don’t know what practices cross the line.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • During the course of the series, Mullen's investigation into the cyberattack unearths the mysterious weapon.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • There are dramatic headlines, nonsensical abbreviations and mysterious trends that seem to erase people’s money.
    — Catherine Brock, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • The severity of Walker’s injury is unclear, but Espada told reporters Thursday that the 34-year-old first baseman will travel to Houston for an MRI.
    — Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The next Starship test flight was previously expected to take place as early as April, although the exact timing of the flight is unclear.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • Ivan Stupak, a former Ukrainian intelligence official, told Newsweek that while the details are still murky, the block is likely to significantly impact Ukraine's access to anti-aircraft missiles, especially interceptor missiles fired by the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system.
    — Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Classic largemouth water in a river would be a murky, slow-moving bend with thick cover (think fallen trees, heavy vegetation, and boat docks).
    — Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of murky

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“Ambiguous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambiguous. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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