ambiguity

noun

ˌam-bə-ˈgyü-ə-tē How to pronounce ambiguity (audio)
Definition of ambiguitynext
as in ambiguousness
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning the ambiguity of the clairvoyant's messages from the deceased allowed the grieving relatives to interpret them however they wished

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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 ambiguity Keep it brief, clear and consistent There’s no room for ambiguity when teaching boys not to rape or assault girls. — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 But ambiguity typically plays to the advantage of the stronger party; such hedging from Washington was as good as an explicit endorsement of the Israeli position. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 Others, however, like Morissa Schwartz, founder of GenZ Publishing, said the ambiguity might have been deliberate. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026 This creates what the team calls goal-action ambiguity, where observing the action alone does not necessarily reveal either the true goal or the preferred way of achieving it. — New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambiguity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambiguity
  1. mysteriousness
  2. uncertainty
Noun
  • That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.
    — Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of mysteriousness
Noun
  • For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The shooting has brought medical expenses and uncertainty to her family, according to the fundraising campaign.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncertainty

Browse Nearby Words

ambients
ambiguity
ambiguous
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Cite this Entry

“Ambiguity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambiguity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ambiguity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ambiguity

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