vague

adjective

ˈvāg How to pronounce vague (audio)
Definition of vaguenext
1
as in unclear
not expressed in precise terms gave as vague a reply as he could, hoping not to give away the surprise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hazy
not seen or understood clearly I have only a vague idea of what you're talking about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of vague are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and obscure. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

When could ambiguous be used to replace vague?

Although the words ambiguous and vague have much in common, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When would cryptic be a good substitute for vague?

While in some cases nearly identical to vague, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

Where would dark be a reasonable alternative to vague?

The synonyms dark and vague are sometimes interchangeable, but dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

In what contexts can enigmatic take the place of vague?

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

enigmatic occult writings

When might equivocal be a better fit than vague?

While the synonyms equivocal and vague 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

When can obscure be used instead of vague?

The words obscure and vague can be used in similar contexts, but obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

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 vague But the next steps remain more vague than the path laid out in the Camp David accords, presumably involving some sort of international stabilization force besides the massive muti-national rebuilding effort. —Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025 Those recommendations are indeed vague, agrees Lisa Malter, MD, director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. —Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Oct. 2025 In May, the Arkansas Supreme Court struck down the gag order, calling it overly broad and vague. —Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 The plan now opens a narrow opportunity—if Palestinians can turn its vague text into leverage. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vague
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vague
  1. unclear
  2. hazy
  3. ambiguous
  4. faint
  5. fuzzy
  6. pale
  7. murky
  8. obscure
Adjective
  • Her motive for abandoning her daughter is unclear at this time.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • If the answers are unclear or the topic changes, walk away immediately.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • As her body began to shiver and her mind grew hazy, extraction efforts only became more difficult.
    — Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • At the new Bay View taproom, the brewery will serve small runs as well as Solemn Oath Brewery staples, such as its popular Lü Kölsch, Snaggletooth Bandana IPA, Small Wave City Club hazy IPA and Kidnapped by Vikings IPA.
    — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of hazy
Adjective
  • According to the institute statement, which remained ambiguous about the mosquito’s permanence, the insect probably arrived via freight transportation.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps its message is meant to be deliberately ambiguous—or maybe there’s no message at all.
    — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • The team connected the device to a circuit board with an amplifier – to boost faint UVA signals – and a Bluetooth chip to send real-time data to a user's smartphone.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • The boundary lines can get a little fuzzy.
    — Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
  • A far cry from the 8,000 dresses she's worn in the past, White's pajamas featured a print of the show's iconic wheel as well as purple fuzzy cuffs on both the top and pants.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of fuzzy
Adjective
  • The fruit’s pale, glossy surface already gives it that eerie eyeball effect.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The floors were made of pale gray wood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • The Philadelphia 76ers' immediate and medium-term future looked murky coming into this season.
    — Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Still, Kenya’s longer-term political outlook just got a lot murkier, as the scramble to win over Odinga’s supporters will intensify in the months ahead.
    — Ian Bremmer, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • Some use protocols that are not designed to protect privacy, obscure ownership or fail to encrypt traffic properly.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The jokes about gallon jars of mayonnaise perhaps obscure the company’s true power.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of obscure

Browse Nearby Words

vagrants
vague
vaguely
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Cite this Entry

“Vague.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vague. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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