OCCULT Synonyms: 252 Similar and Opposite Words

occult 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈkəlt

Definition of occult

as in mysterious

being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain the occult ways in which the human mind works

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ambiguous

having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning an occult reference in the text that has puzzled scholars ever since

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magic

having seemingly supernatural qualities or powers Great Britain's Stonehenge is one of those occult places where people expect something of cosmic significance to happen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

occult

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈkəlt

as in to obscure

to keep secret or shut off from view occulted their house from prying eyes by planting large trees around it the actor's private life had long been occulted by a contrived public persona

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 occult

Adjective

While series like zombie horror All of Us Are Dead or monster drama Sweet Home have found massive success, there has yet to be an occult K-drama that truly breaks through. — Kayti Burt, Time, 24 Apr. 2026 There, a new school of artists, thinkers and card readers began to see tarot as infused with a deep, occult significance. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025

Verb

In fact, the speedy planet is occulted (hidden) by the sun's disk, but of course, this event is unobservable. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 2 May 2026 When To See The ‘snow Moon’ Occult Regulus Just a day after the full wolf supermoon, the near-full moon will occult Regulus for about an hour, as seen from the eastern half of North America. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occult

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occult

Adjective

But although the mysterious connections between siblings are an area ripe for exploration, Herzog doesn’t seem all that interested beyond the quirk factor, making the film seem precious rather than perceptive.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
There’s a mysterious liquid dripping from the ceiling next to the changing table.

— Zachary Pincus-Roth, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

Bergman’s scenario famously reaches the deeply ambiguous point at which the personalities of the actress Elisabet Vogler and her nurse, Alma, seem to merge.

— Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
What remains are angry customers, ambiguous situations, exceptions, judgment calls and problems that have already failed one resolution attempt.

— Antony P Gregory, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ambiguous

Adjective

There’s no magic equation for solving the political division in this country.

— Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026
In doing so, the Rays, per team calculations, reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to at least 12, pending later games.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of magic

Verb

Forward vision is excellent because there’s no roof, A-pillars, or much of anything obscuring your view (the only model above the Signature Edition, called the Grand Touring, does include a roof of sorts).

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The glass is reeded and translucent, obscuring the line cooks behind it.

— Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of obscure

Adjective

The piece, inspired by the 12th-century polymathic mystic Saint Hildegard of Bingen, was skin-tinglingly breathy and slow, with long tones (played by Malone and her accompanist Stephen O’Malley) that rose up and swirled around the room.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Poetry of a Hindu mystic Kashmir gradually became a predominantly Muslim society after the Shah Mir dynasty came to power in the 14th century.

— Peter Dziedzic, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Definition of mystic

Adjective

Words like miraculous, inspirational, incredible, amazing and magical were just some of the adjectives heard at Friday’s event.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Caleb the Conjurer created several magical wins for the Bears, but that late game fortune also rarely carries over into the next season.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of magical

Verb

That's because the sink and invisible dual-burner induction cooktop are concealed below a sliding top that works just like a bar or table when retracted.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
All three globe bulbs are concealed here, as is most of the cord, but a foot pedal on/off switch ensures ease of use.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conceal

Browse Nearby Words

occluding

occult

occulted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Occult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occult. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of occult

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes