1
as in vague
not expressed in precise terms
their suggestion for correcting the problem is a bit unclear
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faint
not seen or understood clearly
obtained at best an unclear glimpse of the rarely seen bird from across the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unclear
When the gold was later found—in a river near where the trader’s body had been recovered—the motive became unclear.
—
Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
As of Monday, the amount of precipitation expected through Friday was still unclear, according to a weather service infographic.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2025
The extent and breadth of the administration’s efforts to control domestic spending appropriated by Congress is still unclear.
—Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 10 Feb. 2025
The cause of the collision is unclear, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
—NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unclear 
Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
As of Monday, the amount of precipitation expected through Friday was still unclear, according to a weather service infographic.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2025
The extent and breadth of the administration’s efforts to control domestic spending appropriated by Congress is still unclear.
—Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 10 Feb. 2025
The cause of the collision is unclear, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
—NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unclear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclear
Adjective
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Related Stories The film, however, bears no clear timeline, other than the vague notion of modernity.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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Filmmakers work to an intentionally vague brief from Mrs. Muccia Prada: make a short film, using Miu Miu’s latest collection, that articulates a woman’s story.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That shadow isn’t perfect, so faint sunbeams sneak around the shadow’s edges on all sides in the colors of a sunset, bathing the moon in brilliant, warm hues.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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Nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Wicked, Cynthia Erivo arrived in a white French tip manicure airbrushed with a faint, hazy green (and gold embellishments, of course).—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Their reasoning is ambiguous and the move is likely to put moderate Republicans facing reelection in swing districts in an uncomfortable position.—
Lee Hamilton,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Executive orders have nearly always been legally ambiguous.—
Meredith Conroy,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Wicked, Cynthia Erivo arrived in a white French tip manicure airbrushed with a faint, hazy green (and gold embellishments, of course).—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
8 Feb. 2025
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The hazy, blasé Pharrell hook ups the sense that Kendrick is alone amid the Compton chaos.—
Stephen Kearse,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unclear
Cite this Entry
“Unclear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unclear. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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