Definitions

ambiguous

[am-big-yoo-uhs] / æmˈbɪg ju əs /

ADJECTIVE

having more than one meaning

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cryptic dubious enigmatic equivocal inconclusive obscure opaque puzzling questionable uncertain unclear vague

WEAK

clear as dishwater doubtful enigmatical indefinite indeterminate inexplicit muddy multivocal polysemous tenebrous unintelligible

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain clear definite determined known obvious plain sure unambiguous understandable unquestionable

WEAK

explicit lucid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The proposal was “as ambiguous as some of his testimony before government committees,” Mitchell recalled to Mallaby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

Assuming cost is no object, and you can live with some bad or ambiguous news, it’s hard to argue against testing.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

“The fund is going to plaintiffs who were victims of lawfare or weaponization. … Those are pretty ambiguous terms. They’re sort of in the eye of the beholder,” Nixon said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

"The reasons are still slightly ambiguous to this day," says Andy.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Others have concluded the planet is lifeless because a preliminary search for a particular manifestation of life has been unsuccessful or ambiguous.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Vocabulary lists containing ambiguous

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"

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Grade 9, List 1

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!