cryptic

adjective

ˈkrip-tik How to pronounce cryptic (audio)
Definition of crypticnext
1
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the oracle offered only cryptic predictions that could be interpreted any number of different ways

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of cryptic are ambiguous, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When is it sensible to use ambiguous instead of cryptic?

While the synonyms ambiguous and cryptic are close in meaning, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

In what contexts can dark take the place of cryptic?

The words dark and cryptic can be used in similar contexts, but dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When might enigmatic be a better fit than cryptic?

The words enigmatic and cryptic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When can equivocal be used instead of cryptic?

Although the words equivocal and cryptic have much in common, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

When would obscure be a good substitute for cryptic?

While in some cases nearly identical to cryptic, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When could vague be used to replace cryptic?

The synonyms vague and cryptic are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 cryptic Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images With Week 1 right around the corner, Harbaugh spoke out with a cryptic update about Alexander's status. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 Ahead of the podcast episode, New Heights teased a cryptic image featuring Swift's silhouette between a screenshot of the brothers. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Not long ago, chatting with AI felt like consulting a cryptic oracle. —Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Prior to his arrest, Lil Nas X wiped his Instagram page before making several cryptic posts that caught the attention of fans. —Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cryptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cryptic
  1. mysterious
  2. ambiguous
  3. enigmatic
  4. obscure
  5. uncanny
  6. dark
  7. mystic
Adjective
  • With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the headquarters but are plunged into a deep descent to a mysterious space by the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Beyond this, the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton X-Ray observatory also studied this spiral galaxy repeatedly and found mysterious regions known as ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs).
    — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Unlike Europe's clear regulatory framework under PSD2, American enterprises operate in a more ambiguous environment where implementation decisions must account for evolving compliance requirements and uncertain regulatory timelines.
    — Dave Glaser, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Dani's on-again, off-again relationship with playboy photographer Andre — who's also her sister's ex's nephew — has become more ambiguous than ever in recent weeks.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Acclaimed country musician Orville Peck will make his film debut in Street Fighter as the enigmatic Vega, a masked fighter with a freaky set of Freddy Krueger claws.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
  • One of Al Pacino’s finest performances of the 1970s — which, with the Godfather films and Serpico, is an absurd hot hand — is as the enigmatic, wild-eyed Sonny, a man who performs a desperate bank robbery with his partner (the late John Cazale, by turns heartbreakingly clueless and dopily funny).
    — Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • For instance, in a now obscure 1944 speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt argued that the American Revolution remained an incomplete project.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Department and team-level metrics expose inefficiency that company-wide averages often obscure.
    — Heidi Farris, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Of course, the resemblance was uncanny, from their matching smiles to their auburn-red hair, which Julia wore down in loose waves and Emma styled in a messy ponytail.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The job requires an uncanny ability to sell each bit of incremental progress as a success in and of itself.
    — Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of uncanny
Adjective
  • Interestingly, Lorraine has taught Judy to ward off her frightening visions by using a nursery rhyme, effectively teaching her to suppress her dark side.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Dolphins wear white jerseys at home for afternoon games, forcing opponents to wear darker colors that absorb more heat.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • Yet Blanc’s real faith lies in the nearly mystic quality involved in seeing what the human animal is capable of.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Yeats’s spirals, once dismissed as the wild diagrams of a mystic, now settle over this place like soot.
    — Alaa Alqaisi August 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Definition of mystic

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Cite this Entry

“Cryptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cryptic. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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