indistinct

Lacking clear form

Indistinct means not clear or sharply defined.

An indistinct shape in the fog lacks clear edges.

Indistinct speech is hard to make out.

Indistinct memories are vague, lacking vivid detail.

The word applies to anything perceived—sights, sounds, recollections—that fails to register with clarity.

vague

nebulous

Unclear and formless

impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
undefinedNot clearly delineated
unspecificLacking precise definition

indefinite · general · broad · approximate · loose · ambiguous · nonspecific · uncertain · unclear · hazy

muffled

muted

Made quieter or softer

dampenedMade moist or subdued
softenedMade less severe
hushedReduced to silence

subdued · faint · low · deadened · smothered · stifled · suppressed · garbled · unintelligible · mumbled

blurred

blurry

Indistinct, lacking definition

out-of-focusLacking sharpness or definition
unfocusedWithout clear direction
smearedSpread carelessly across

smudged · fuzzy · soft · hazy · bleary · burred · feathery · diffuse · ill-defined · faint

ambiguous

equivocal

Uncertain in meaning

unclearNot easily understood
uncertainNot firmly known
crypticObscure in meaning

enigmatic · puzzling · confusing · opaque · murky · doubtful · questionable · debatable · indeterminate · inconclusive

obscured

foggy

Obscured by vapor

mistyObscured by vapor
hazyUnclear, indistinct
cloudedMade unclear or dim

murky · veiled · shrouded · dim · shadowy · gauzy · smoky · overcast · befogged · tenebrous

Categories

visionsharp, eye, visual perception, sight, eyes
Imprecisevague, fuzzy, rough, hazy, murky
mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, enigmatic, arcane, obscure
unfocuseddistracted, blurry, fuzzy, vague, unclear
barely therefaint, subtle, trace, hint, fleeting
visibilityvisibility, visible, invisible, hidden, hide

Opposites

perceptual clarity

indistinctclear

Without obstruction or fog

sharp · distinct · crisp · vivid · defined

definiteness of boundaries

indistinctwell-defined

Having clear boundaries

sharp · clear-cut · clean-cut · crisp · defined

conceptual precision

indistinctclear

Without obstruction or fog

explicit · definite · distinct · precise · unambiguous

Family

indistinctly, indistinguishable, indistinctness, indistinctive, indistinguishably, indistinguishability

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G