ambiguous

[am-big-yoo-uhs] / æmˈbɪg yu 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 reasons are still slightly ambiguous to this day," says Andy.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Both people and machines struggle with ambiguous suffering.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

The closure of the criminal inquiry and Monday’s filing leave that condition ambiguous.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

By the time “Wasteman” reaches its ambiguous finale, our loyalties are far from clear-cut.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

There are other words just as ambiguous as sixteenth-century ‘experience’/‘experiment’.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing ambiguous

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1

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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!