Inscrutable: meaning, definitions and examples
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inscrutable
[ɪnˈskruː.tə.bl̩ ]
Definition
description
Impossible to understand or interpret. Mysterious or enigmatic.
Synonyms
enigmatic, impenetrable, mysterious, opaque, unfathomable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
inscrutable |
Used to describe someone or something that is difficult to understand or interpret, often applied to people or facial expressions.
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mysterious |
Suitable for something or someone that arouses curiosity or suspense by being unknown or unexplained.
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enigmatic |
Appropriately used for something or someone that is mysterious or puzzling, often with a sense of intrigue or fascination.
|
impenetrable |
Describes something that cannot be understood or passed through, often used for complex texts or physical barriers.
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unfathomable |
Describes something that is impossible to comprehend, often used for abstract concepts or very deep emotions.
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opaque |
Used for something that is not transparent or difficult to understand, often implying lack of clarity in communication or material.
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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.