unclear
Hard to grasp
Unclear means not easy to understand, see, or determine.
Instructions may be unclear, leaving you confused about what to do.
A photograph may be unclear, its subject hard to make out.
When the path forward is unclear, you don't know what will happen next: It's unclear whether she'll accept the offer.
The word often softens statements of ignorance or uncertainty.
Having multiple interpretations
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
- vagueUnclear, ill-defined
- crypticObscure in meaning
- enigmaticPuzzling and obscure
nebulous · confusing · puzzling · misleading · deceptive · polysemous · ambivalent · perplexing
Indistinct, lacking definition
- fuzzySoft and unclear
- unfocusedWithout clear direction
- hazyUnclear, indistinct
- smudgedBlurred by contact
distorted · bleary · out-of-focus · soft · indistinct · grainy · pixelated · smeared
Slow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- undecidedNot having chosen
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
uncertain · torn · uncommitted · wishy-washy · dithering · faltering · shilly-shallying · flip-flopping
Not yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
- roughUneven in surface
provisional · undeveloped · half-formed · patchy · lacking · deficient · underdeveloped · inconclusive
Kept out of sight
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- arcaneUnderstood by few
esoteric · abstruse · recondite · impenetrable · incomprehensible · convoluted · complex · labyrinthine
ambiguous
Having multiple interpretations
enigmatic · nebulous · confusing · puzzling · misleading · deceptive · polysemous · ambivalent · perplexing · inscrutable
blurry
Indistinct, lacking definition
smudged · distorted · bleary · out-of-focus · soft · indistinct · grainy · pixelated · smeared · astigmatic
muddy
Obscured by silt
dirty · muddied · silty · soupy · thick · impenetrable · dark · shadowy · dim · gloomy
hesitant
Slow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- undecidedNot having chosen
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
vacillating · uncertain · torn · uncommitted · wishy-washy · dithering · faltering · shilly-shallying · flip-flopping · conflicted
unfinished
Not yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
rough · provisional · undeveloped · half-formed · patchy · lacking · deficient · underdeveloped · inconclusive · tentative
hidden
Kept out of sight
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
arcane · esoteric · abstruse · recondite · impenetrable · incomprehensible · convoluted · complex · labyrinthine · tangled
foggy
Obscured by vapor
murky · smoky · steamy · soupy · smoggy · clouded · grey · drizzly · visibility · brume
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- Imprecisevague, fuzzy, rough, hazy, murky
- misunderstandingmisunderstand, misinterpret, miscommunication, misconception, misconstrue
- mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, enigmatic, arcane, obscure
- quality descriptorsexcellent, good, fair, poor, accurate
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, doubt
unclearclear
Without obstruction or fog
intelligible · lucid · understandable · comprehensible · perspicuous
unclearclear
Without obstruction or fog
sharp · distinct · vivid · crisp · well-defined
unclearclear
Without obstruction or fog
definite · certain · unmistakable · unambiguous · explicit
- unclear instructionsDirections lacking clarity
- unclear expectationsPoorly defined success criteria
- unclear messageCommunication lacking clarity
- unclear goalsObjectives not well-defined