cryptic

[krip-tik] / ˈkrɪp tɪk /

ADJECTIVE

secret; obscure in meaning

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous arcane enigmatic equivocal incomprehensible mysterious strange vague veiled

WEAK

Delphian Delphic abstruse apocryphal cabalistic dark esoteric evasive hidden inexplicable murky mystic mystical mystifying occult opaque oracular perplexing puzzling recondite secretive tenebrous unclear unfathomable uninformative

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain clear common definite known normal obvious plain sure

WEAK

seen straightforward

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.

What’s Next: A cryptic social media post by Nvidia last week fanned rumors that it will be making a chip for Windows PCs, something that could be announced at the GTC Taipei convention starting today.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

The lower courts would assume they still had to follow that precedent until it was overruled, rather than guess what a cryptic shadow docket order meant.

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

“I don’t get it,” Anthony admits after one of Daniel’s cryptic explanations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Adam Liptak have pinpointed a winter night in 2016 as the turning point, when the justices “issued a cryptic, one paragraph ruling” on Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Ongoing arguments about the “correct” interpretation of some cryptic passage in Anorak's Almanac.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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