1
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
made nebulous references to some major changes the future may hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
could just make out the nebulous outline of a fishing shack in the dense fog
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nebulous
European Army and the EU The nebulous idea of a European military has long floated around, but mostly dismissed as impractical and unnecessary while NATO exists in its current form.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
With only that nebulous countdown to rely on and sustained financing up in the air, the fledgling hypersonic sector certainly can’t afford to, well, cool its jets.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2025
Momentum has even seemed to shift in the area of litigation, where industry defendants have prevailed in a number of recent decisions in lawsuits brought by cities, counties, and states seeking billions in damage awards alleging nebulous damages due to greenhouse gas emissions.
—David Blackmon, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
In the present, the duo have decamped to a friend’s (Brad Garrett) chic desert retreat, ostensibly to recover from some nebulous tragedy.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nebulous
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
With only that nebulous countdown to rely on and sustained financing up in the air, the fledgling hypersonic sector certainly can’t afford to, well, cool its jets.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2025
Momentum has even seemed to shift in the area of litigation, where industry defendants have prevailed in a number of recent decisions in lawsuits brought by cities, counties, and states seeking billions in damage awards alleging nebulous damages due to greenhouse gas emissions.
—David Blackmon, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
In the present, the duo have decamped to a friend’s (Brad Garrett) chic desert retreat, ostensibly to recover from some nebulous tragedy.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nebulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nebulous
Adjective
-
While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The two were previously involved in a morally ambiguous mission gone wrong, which led to Vincent murdering an undercover cop.—
Skyler Trepel,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The instructions were vague and didn’t have many helpful illustrations.—
Kate Puhala,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
-
Some vague stripes run down its spine, blurring together toward its tail.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
The crime scene was made more terrifying by a cryptic message the killer scrawled across a wall near the victims that demanded drug money.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
-
Fans immediately took the cryptic message as a subtle reference to the current state of their friendship, as the singer and fashion pro have been besties for over 30 years.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, hung on the walls are vintage Italian posters and the floor is composed of alternating rust, black, and white tiles; walls are painted with a faint green Venetian plaster.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
-
The piece resembling an Aeolian harp is a tall rectangle, and its strings should make faint sounds as the wind blows through them.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Starting from a relatively obscure blog, Yarvin has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of ...—
Fred Bauer,
National Review,
10 May 2025
-
Over the last few weeks, an obscure subject has sowed panic and speculation among investors, the federal government, national security experts, and business leaders: rare earth elements.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Better yet, each of their seven studio albums was better than the previous one, culminating with 1992’s Dynamo — seeped in shoegaze guitars — and 1995’s psychedelic magnum opus Sueño Stereo, a dreamlike, hazy swan song for the ages.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
3 May 2025
-
The vintage/modern taproom located in Maui’s upcountry serves up a variety of brews, including a hazy IPA, imperial stout, brown ale, blonde, lager and several sours.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
All Fair remembers of that dark time in her life was having ongoing headaches, throwing up and struggling with her balance.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
-
Large amounts of larvae were in dark crevices inside the homes, including under appliances or furniture.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
The family adventure show is set at mysterious Crookhaven School where high achieving young crooks from across the world are secretly selected to hone their skills in disciplines such as deception, crimnastics, forgery and infiltration.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
-
Dipping in and out of this book over a few months might inspire a new reverence for the mysterious human body.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nebulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nebulous. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share