abstruse

[ ab-stroos ]

adjective

1. hard to understand; recondite; esoteric:

   abstruse theories.

   Synonyms: arcane, unfathomable, incomprehensible

   Antonyms: uncomplicated, obvious, simple, clear

2. Obsolete. secret; hidden.

abstruse

/ əbˈstruːs /

adjective

1. not easy to understand; recondite; esoteric

Derived Forms

• abˈstrusely, adverb
• abˈstruseness, noun

Other Words From

• ab·strusely adverb
• ab·struseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstruse¹

1590–1600; < Latin abstrūsus thrust away, concealed (past participle of abstrūdere ), equivalent to abs- abs- + trūd- thrust + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstruse¹

C16: from Latin abstrūsus thrust away, concealed, from abs- ab- ¹+ trūdere to thrust

Example Sentences

The scope of these symbolic gifts was not really comprehended by the Athenian diplomats at the time, and consequently, they obliged the seemingly abstruse demands.

From Realm of History

Similar to a number of those games from back in the day, like “Grim Fandango,” it’s filled with puzzles that turn on abstruse logic.

From Washington Post

More interesting than these abstruse ruminations were her political instincts at the conclusion of the formal broadcast.

From The Daily Beast

It is when studies requiring abstruse thought are reached that the facility in acquisition of the savage races comes to an end.

From Project Gutenberg

It cast its searching eye into the most abstruse inquiries which ever tasked the famous minds of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

It established important psychological truths and created a method for the solution of abstruse questions.

From Project Gutenberg

Philosophy kept pace with geometry, and those who observed Nature also gloried in abstruse calculations.

From Project Gutenberg

You,” said I. “You drive a nail as if it were an abstruse problem in differential calculus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• esoteric
• perplexing