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 artist’s sculptures feature gothic and esoteric aesthetics, with some even incorporating decaying animal parts à la Damien Hirst. — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026 His esoteric sidewalk pasta pop-up, Estrano, happens sporadically. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Helen Mirren, Russell Crowe, Scott Eastwood, and Gore Verbinsky are among top talents set to attend Italy’s upcoming Taormina Film Festival that has unveiled the lineup for its upcoming 72nd edition that will mix crowdpleasers with more esoteric quality fare. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 June 2026 Afterwards, group members went on to form several other hugely meaningful outfits such as Slint, Gastr Del Sol, Bastro, Papa M and the For Carnation, transmuting Squirrel Bait’s Reagan-era aggression into more esoteric, impossible-to-classify sonic explorations. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 25 June 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 client’s specific, unique facts can have a profound effect.
    — Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
  • However, these signatures tell a profound story of evolving American finance.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of profound
Adjective
  • The Kremlin said the offer was made via confidential channels; Ukrainian officials have not publicly discussed any such proposal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The Supreme Court on Thursday let stand a lower-court order that forces former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to either disclose a confidential source or pay $800 a day in court sanctions.
    — Julian Mark, Washington Post, 2 July 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • He was honored as a Distinguished Fellow by the same organization for his scholarly contributions to the field of regional science, according to his obituary.
    — Chase Jordan July 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • Miami Circle gets historic recognition Carr and other experts, with the support of Ryan Wheeler, then the state’s chief of archaeology, built a case that gradually came to mainstream scientific and scholarly acceptance.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of scholarly
Adjective
  • Gabriella paid off most of his entourage to leave him and the band alone and is now basically his own private Joe Jackson, pressuring him to record nonstop.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The Castro family has been linked, through GAESA chiefly, to a lucrative world of hotels, banks, retail monopolies, foreign-currency businesses, foreign private compounds and offshore accounts.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Adding this recipe's not-so-secret ingredient, Bisquick, is a game changer for classic sausage balls.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • Martin Sheen is the Army captain tasked with going on a secret mission to Cambodia to assassinate a special forces officer (Marlon Brando) who's gone rogue and might actually be nuts.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • Boston first baseman Willson Contreras and Washington starter Cade Cavalli each received seven-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their roles in the fourth-inning altercation.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • According to a source who spoke to Page Six, Taylor and Travis jetted off to an undisclosed location shortly after his Super Bowl loss to recoup on a romantic getaway.
    — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of esoteric for Spanish Speakers

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