1
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
2
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
3
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
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
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Other screening options include annual fecal occult blood tests which look for blood in the stool.
—Janelle Chavez, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2025
Object Of The Week: The Pleiades This week, the moon will occult the Pleiades, the closest open cluster of stars to the solar system and a spectacular sight with both the naked eye and through binoculars.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for occult 
Adjective
It’s a determinedly non-jokey supernatural thriller in which a group of Adelaide teens get in way over their heads playing an occult party game.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Other screening options include annual fecal occult blood tests which look for blood in the stool.
—Janelle Chavez, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023
Verb
January 13: In the early evening the full moon will occult—pass directly in front of—the planet Mars, eclipsing it.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2025
Object Of The Week: The Pleiades This week, the moon will occult the Pleiades, the closest open cluster of stars to the solar system and a spectacular sight with both the naked eye and through binoculars.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for occult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occult
Adjective
-
That gusher of findings will include new observations of exoplanets—or planets orbiting other stars; new surveys of the structure of the Milky Way; and new studies of dark energy, the mysterious, invisible force that causes the universe to expand continuously at an ever-accelerating rate.—
Jeffrey Kluger/Greenbelt,
TIME,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Beyond mysterious Gathering new data about Venus is vital, Garvin pointed out, so that the next wave of exploration is grounded in what must be done first as scientists attempt to further reveal our sister world.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Their reasoning is ambiguous and the move is likely to put moderate Republicans facing reelection in swing districts in an uncomfortable position.—
Lee Hamilton,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Executive orders have nearly always been legally ambiguous.—
Meredith Conroy,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Before the modern sports landscape worked its magic trick of exclusivity.—
Marcus Thompson II,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
But the magic trick lies in making that highly individualized format adaptable so would-be-Romeos listening can easily purchase it right off the rack.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
There is also no record of its business name on a database of online companies and its website is registered to a private domain in Holland, obscuring its true origin.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The average obscures significant variation, though.—
Meg Wingerter,
The Denver Post,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But the child’s uncle departed with a cryptic comment when he was told how happy his brother’s family had appeared to their neighbors.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2025
-
In a statement posted to X, Ravenel hinted at his intentions and shared a cryptic message for his opponents.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Founded on the ethos of art as a form of mystic healing, the label reimagines the family heirloom—and invites its patrons to examine their relationship with objects.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Healy Lake members have long considered their dogs to be mystic companions, according to Combs.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
More recently, on Jan. 5, the Drift star had a magical entrance at the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
That meant building massive sets on four backlots, constructing magical trains and planting fields of barley and tulips.—
Beatrice Verhoeven,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
These outfits fall straight from shoulders to hip and conceal your waist.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
-
At least 37 giant live beetles measuring 4 to 5 inches have been found concealed inside of multiple packages of Japanese snacks, potato chips and chocolate at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near occult
Cite this Entry
“Occult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occult. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share