OPAQUE Synonyms: 294 Similar and Opposite Words

opaque

adjective

ō-ˈpāk

Definition of opaque

as in ambiguous

having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vague

not seen or understood clearly an opaque remark that seemed to hint that there would be future retaliation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily people are sometimes rude to her, but fortunately she's too opaque to realize what's happening

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 opaque Advertisement Researchers who work in public-health policy and infectious diseases have been watching this rapidly evolving and opaque situation with concern. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Our target consumer is anyone who is tired of endless scrolling, has ever felt that conventional recommendations don’t quite understand them, or finds today’s personalization systems too opaque or even a little creepy. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 The pencil comes in five hues—including black, brown, and taupe—and its pigment goes on lightly to avoid a look that’s too thick or opaque. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 Under previous leadership, earnings calls were notoriously opaque. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opaque

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opaque

Adjective

Jones, Cullen and Locke are pleased to hear how effective the ambiguous ending to Black Church Bay is.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
That’s a question for next season, but their flirtation has been built around Sid’s ambiguous motives from the beginning.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambiguous

Adjective

Recent criticism The century-old restaurant guide is famous for its secrecy; its inspectors are anonymous and the company releases only vague information about their evaluation process.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The plaintiffs had argued those terms were vague, and that the council selectively used them to silence prominent critics, violating their First Amendment rights.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of vague

Adjective

And that's exactly where Glenn was for the second time this season — guilty of the dumbest moment of the week.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
There’s a dumb ending, involving the Bewitched theme and Dennis Rodman discussing the perils of adult illiteracy (sure), but everything before that is pretty fun, including the Bumblebee Man turning into a bumblebee and Lisa into Albert Einstein.

— Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of dumb

Adjective

Here’s a prime example of a more cryptic style of clue that sometimes pops up in late-week puzzles.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Kermode was curious, if not slightly annoyed about all this cryptic communication and the request for a secret rendezvous.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of cryptic

Adjective

But take a walk inside and the ground is laden with faint slabs of rock, gravestones from a centuries-old Indigenous family cemetery that had been obscured by the passage of time and neglect.

— Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
However, the light cast by the waxing moon — just four days from being full — will likely reduce the number of visible meteors by hiding fainter Orionids from sight.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of faint

Adjective

But also, the audience is not used to people delivering blunt questions — no matter how stupid the answer.

— Jade Tran, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
Pierce and Kember were born in the same place on the same day, a lore-enhancing coincidence too stupid to make up.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Connie Britton and Sam Nivola lead the series created by Nick Paley that blends mystery, dark comedy and the awkwardness of adolescence.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

Even as the sense of a hazy disturbance in the force lingers, Burkholder’s approximately three-minute statement at least demystified some of the curious situation.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
The band frequently steers the poppy songwriting offroad by leaning into distortion and ambience, creating moments of both near-mania and hazy unease.

— Sue Park, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026