enigmatic
Hard to read
Enigmatic describes someone or something mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to interpret.
An enigmatic smile hints at hidden meaning.
An enigmatic figure remains unknowable despite scrutiny.
The word suggests deliberate inscrutability—not mere confusion, but a quality that invites interpretation while resisting it: She gave an enigmatic reply that left us all guessing.
Perplexing problem or question
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- sphinxMysterious, unreadable person
labyrinth · maze · brainteaser · charade · cipher · quandary · dilemma · question
Cannot be deciphered
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- quizzicalMildly perplexed in expression
- intenseExtreme in degree
brooding · searching · knowing · mysterious · cryptic · sphinxlike · penetrating · watchful
Mysterious and impassive
- unfathomableBeyond comprehension or measurement
- inexplicableCannot be accounted for
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
baffling · puzzling · perplexing · inscrutable · impenetrable · incomprehensible · unaccountable · unexplainable
Hidden writing system
- codeSymbolic communication system
- indecipherableImpossible to understand
- hiddenKept out of sight
- obscureUnknown to most
veiled · coded · encrypted · symbolic · allegorical · sibylline · delphic · oracular
Restrained in manner
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- elusiveHard to find
- privateRestricted to certain parties
guarded · distant · mysterious · inscrutable · unknowable · withdrawn · reclusive · intriguing
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
discreet · tight-lipped · reticent · guarded · shrouded · cloaked · evasive · inscrutable
conundrum
Perplexing problem or question
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
sphinx · labyrinth · maze · brainteaser · charade · cipher · quandary · dilemma · question · secret
unreadable
Cannot be deciphered
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- quizzicalMildly perplexed in expression
intense · brooding · searching · knowing · mysterious · cryptic · sphinxlike · penetrating · watchful · veiled
sphinxlike
Mysterious and impassive
- unfathomableBeyond comprehension or measurement
- inexplicableCannot be accounted for
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
mystifying · baffling · puzzling · perplexing · inscrutable · impenetrable · incomprehensible · unaccountable · unexplainable · bewildering
cipher
Hidden writing system
- codeSymbolic communication system
- indecipherableImpossible to understand
- hiddenKept out of sight
obscure · veiled · coded · encrypted · symbolic · allegorical · sibylline · delphic · oracular · ambiguous
reserved
Restrained in manner
private · guarded · distant · mysterious · inscrutable · unknowable · withdrawn · reclusive · intriguing · fascinating
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
stealthy · discreet · tight-lipped · reticent · guarded · shrouded · cloaked · evasive · inscrutable · unrevealing
- mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, arcane, obscure, puzzling
- complexitycomplex, complicated, simple, intricate, easy
- Byronic Herobrooding, tormented, mysterious, rebellious, passionate
- hard to readblurry text, illegible, faded print, blurred, smudged
- Mysticalethereal, otherworldly, supernatural, numinous, transcendent
- strangenessodd, weird, strange, bizarre, peculiar
enigmaticobvious
Easily perceived, unmistakable
clear · straightforward · unambiguous · understandable · comprehensible
enigmaticopen
Not closed
transparent · open book · candid · forthcoming · readable
- enigmatic figurePuzzling, hard-to-read individual