Inscrutable: meaning, definitions and examples

🤔
Add to dictionary

inscrutable

 

[ɪnˈskruː.tə.bl̩ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

description

Impossible to understand or interpret. Mysterious or enigmatic.

Synonyms

enigmatic, impenetrable, mysterious, opaque, unfathomable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
inscrutable

Used to describe someone or something that is difficult to understand or interpret, often applied to people or facial expressions.

  • Her expression was inscrutable, revealing nothing about her true feelings
mysterious

Suitable for something or someone that arouses curiosity or suspense by being unknown or unexplained.

  • The house on the hill had a mysterious aura, and no one knew who lived there
enigmatic

Appropriately used for something or someone that is mysterious or puzzling, often with a sense of intrigue or fascination.

  • He had an enigmatic smile that made everyone curious about what he was thinking
impenetrable

Describes something that cannot be understood or passed through, often used for complex texts or physical barriers.

  • The dense jungle was impenetrable, making it impossible to find a way through
unfathomable

Describes something that is impossible to comprehend, often used for abstract concepts or very deep emotions.

  • The depths of the ocean are unfathomable, leading many to wonder what secrets it holds
opaque

Used for something that is not transparent or difficult to understand, often implying lack of clarity in communication or material.

  • The instructions were so opaque that no one could follow them properly

Examples of usage

  • The inscrutable smile on her face gave nothing away.
  • His motives remained inscrutable to everyone around him.
  • The inscrutable nature of the ancient artifact puzzled archaeologists.
  • The inscrutable expression in his eyes made it hard to determine his true feelings.
  • Despite hours of questioning, the suspect remained inscrutable.

Translations

Translations of the word "inscrutable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insondável

🇮🇳 अविभाज्य

🇩🇪 unergründlich

🇮🇩 tidak dapat dipahami

🇺🇦 незбагненний

🇵🇱 nieprzenikniony

🇯🇵 不可解

🇫🇷 incompréhensible

🇪🇸 inescrutable

🇹🇷 anlaşılmaz

🇰🇷 이해할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غامض

🇨🇿 neproniknutelný

🇸🇰 nepreniknuteľný

🇨🇳 难以理解

🇸🇮 nepredirljiv

🇮🇸 óskiljanlegur

🇰🇿 түсініксіз

🇬🇪 შეუცნობელი

🇦🇿 anlaşılmaz

🇲🇽 inescrutable

Etymology

The word 'inscrutable' originated in the late 15th century, deriving from the Latin word 'inscrutabilis', meaning 'unsearchable'. Over the centuries, it has been used to describe things that are difficult or impossible to understand or interpret. The concept of inscrutability has been explored in various fields, from philosophy to literature, highlighting the fascination with the mysterious and enigmatic aspects of human experience.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,947, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.