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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 esoteric
An ardent collector of esoteric watches, especially those from independent watchmakers and microbrands, Gee had taken a four-year hiatus from collecting, and this piece marked his return.
—
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2025
Or even just to have something to say, in the vein of the visceral screeds of Glassjaw, the macabre monologues of Drowningman, or the esoteric wordplay of At the Drive-In.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Some experts see consciousness as the result of information processing in the brain; others see it as a non-material, yet fundamental feature of reality; and still others take their ideas in far more esoteric directions.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
What once looked like esoteric symbols now resemble maps drawn too early.
—Alaa Alqaisi
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2025
Or even just to have something to say, in the vein of the visceral screeds of Glassjaw, the macabre monologues of Drowningman, or the esoteric wordplay of At the Drive-In.
—Chris R. Morgan, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Some experts see consciousness as the result of information processing in the brain; others see it as a non-material, yet fundamental feature of reality; and still others take their ideas in far more esoteric directions.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
What once looked like esoteric symbols now resemble maps drawn too early.
—Alaa Alqaisi
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for esoteric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esoteric
Adjective
-
This is a period of profound adjustment for everyone at the club, to put it mildly.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But their journey involves profound moments with their past and future, examining how the Mi’kmaw people, Indigenous to Nova Scotia, relate to the land and to each other.—
William Earl,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
All calls are toll-free and confidential.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Incomes and inheritances are not confidential matters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The executives were able to meet with Pope Leo in a private audience that included others, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This is the web version of Term Sheet, a daily newsletter on the biggest deals and dealmakers in venture capital and private equity.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
North was convicted in 1989 on three felony charges for helping to arrange the illicit sale of weapons to Iran and divert the proceeds to fund a secret war against anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The in-game map also purposefully obscures some of the game's secret nooks and crannies, which can only be found with careful observation (or a handy walkthrough).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The devil is in the details of disclosure Nestlé’s news release said the ex-CEO was being dismissed not just for having a relationship, but for having an undisclosed relationship.—
Lila MacLellan,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The sophomore was held out of the Missouri State game due to an undisclosed injury.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Esoteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esoteric. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share