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

Relevance

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

Synonym Chooser

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 A lot of trade rumors have come out and Hill has posted many different cryptic things on social media. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 Perhaps the most cryptic recipient is someone or something named D. Amount due: $9,000. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025 Neither Henry nor Devers have been willing to detail that conversation until now, as Devers finally broke his silence on the discussion with a cryptic four-word message. —Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025 Still, his message ended on a cheerful note that showed the musician seems to be taking the cryptic dismissal in stride. —Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 16 May 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
  • Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
  • Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.
    — Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous, or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The Food and Drug Administration’s April 22 news release contains some ambiguous language.
    — Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • In a quaint village nestled high in the Swiss alps, an enigmatic domed building towers above the sloped rooftops.
    — Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The invisible legacy In the end, Sara is left with one last crucial gift from her mentor, Massimiliano—a CD with an enigmatic message.
    — Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 3 June 2025
Definition of enigmatic
Adjective
  • The banner offers a peek into a relatively obscure group during a critical moment in American history.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
  • The other is a bit more obscure: Juan Samuel, with 70 extra-base hits and 72 steals as a Phillies rookie in 1984.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • The lyrebird is a master mimic, able to reproduce the calls of other birds, chainsaws, camera shutters, car alarms, and even human voices with uncanny precision.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Filled with uncanny creatures and unintelligible language, the book's inspiration came, Serafini muses, either from aliens, or his cat.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 30 May 2025
Definition of uncanny
Adjective
  • Dark Universe is home to one of the greatest dark rides of all time.
    — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 3 June 2025
  • Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • The author also varies the texture of the book by inserting poems, quotations, dramatic dialogue, a veiled account of her unhappy days at boarding school, and a lengthy digression on the German mystic Friederike Hauffe, who claimed to be clairvoyant and to communicate with spirits.
    — James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • Further projects include psychological thriller The Olive Press, set in the mystic world of the Druze community in Mount Lebanon, from writer and director Samah El Kadi, and co-written by Nadim Chammas.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Definition of mystic

Browse Nearby Words

crypt
cryptic
cryptonym
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Cryptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cryptic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on cryptic

Nglish: Translation of cryptic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All