Synonyms for enigmatic
ˌɛn ɪgˈmæt ɪk; also ˌi nɪg-enig·mat·ic

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. enigmatic

   Equivocal (Latin equus, equal, and vox, voice, word) denotes that which may equally well be understood in either of two or more ways. Ambiguous (Latin ambi, around, and ago, drive, lead) signifies lacking in distinctness or certainty, obscure or doubtful through indefiniteness of expression. Ambiguous is applied only to spoken or written statements; equivocal has other applications. A statement is ambiguous when it leaves the mind of the reader or hearer to fluctuate between two meanings, which would fit the language equally well; it is equivocal when it would naturally be understood in one way, but is capable of a different interpretation; an equivocal expression is, as a rule, intentionally deceptive, while an ambiguous utterance may be simply the result of a want either of clear thought or of adequate expression. That which is enigmatical must be guessed like a riddle; a statement may be purposely made enigmatical in order to provoke thought and study. That is doubtful which is fairly open to doubt; that is dubious which has become the subject of doubts so grave as scarcely to fall short of condemnation; as, a dubious reputation. Questionable may be used nearly in the sense either of dubious or of doubtful; a questionable statement is one that must be proved before it can be accepted. To say that one's honesty is questionable is a mild way of saying that in the opinion of the speaker he is likely to prove dishonest. Equivocal is sometimes, tho more rarely, used in this sense. A suspicious character gives manifest reason to be suspected; a suspicious temper is inclined to suspect the motives and intentions of others, with or without reason. Compare CLEAR.

   Synonyms:
   ambiguous, doubtful, dubious, enigmatical, equivocal, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, obscure, perplexing, questionable, suspicious, uncertain

   Antonyms:
   certain, clear, distinct, evident, indisputable, indubitable, lucid, manifest, obvious, perspicuous, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal, unquestionable, unquestioned

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:4.8 / 9 votes

1. enigmatic, enigmatical, puzzlingadjective

   not clear to the understanding

   "I didn't grasp the meaning of that enigmatic comment until much later"; "prophetic texts so enigmatic that their meaning has been disputed for centuries"

   Synonyms:
   puzzling, confusing, enigmatical, perplexing, oracular

   Antonyms:
   comprehensible, comprehendible, unambiguous

2. enigmatic, oracularadjective

   resembling an oracle in obscurity of thought

   "the oracular sayings of Victorian poets"; "so enigmatic that priests might have to clarify it"; "an enigmatic smile"

   Synonyms:
   puzzling, enigmatical, oracular

   Antonyms:
   unambiguous, comprehensible, comprehendible

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. enigmaticadjective

   Synonyms:
   obscure, mysterious, mystic, mystical, dark, occult, recondite, ambiguous, hidden, unintelligible, incomprehensible, puzzling, perplexing

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "enigmatic":

   cryptic, intriguing, slippery, mysterious

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How to use enigmatic in a sentence?

1. Uri Berger:

   It's an enigmatic site. We have bits of information, but not the whole picture, scientists come and are amazed by the site and think up their own theories.

2. Aldous Huxley:

   The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.

3. Lois Greenfield:

   And out of this improvisation comes a moment that can't be part of a dance, it becomes more of a personal moment, a moment about expressive gestures. And they're often, I call them, enigmatic or ambiguous moments.

4. Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz:

   This it the most enigmatic and mysterious stage of human development, it is a time when the basic body shape is determined.

5. Erik Pevernagie:

   Human understanding very often remains enigmatic and motivations impenetrable. Many codes remain unbreakable, unless one has the unconditional key. ( " The unbreakable code " )