1
: blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light : exhibiting opacity (see opacity sense 1)
2
a
: hard to understand or explain
opaque prose
b
opaque
noun
opaquely
adverb
opaqueness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of opaque in a Sentence
In the opening hour, a group of strangers receive a maddeningly opaque cell-phone summons to join a secret cross-country race with a $32 million prize. The thing is, the summons can also be a threat (one competitor's wife is possibly being held captive), and the consequences of falling behind are murderous.
—
Tom Gliatto, People, 23 Apr. 2007
The reality facing Rory Stewart was that he was sent into a collapsed rural region in a country of which he knew almost nothing, and in which he had to find his way through a maze of opaque tribal and religious relationships.
—Robert Skidelsky, New York Review of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
Arborio rice, the kind that grows in the Po Valley and gave rise to the wonderful dish risotto, has a tiny opaque white pearl on the inside that remains al dente, and starch on the outside that the grains release during cooking, making a creamy sauce.
—Corby Kummer, Atlantic, March 1993
the opaque water of the muddy river
somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics
Tom Gliatto, People, 23 Apr. 2007
The reality facing Rory Stewart was that he was sent into a collapsed rural region in a country of which he knew almost nothing, and in which he had to find his way through a maze of opaque tribal and religious relationships.
—Robert Skidelsky, New York Review of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
Arborio rice, the kind that grows in the Po Valley and gave rise to the wonderful dish risotto, has a tiny opaque white pearl on the inside that remains al dente, and starch on the outside that the grains release during cooking, making a creamy sauce.
—Corby Kummer, Atlantic, March 1993
the opaque water of the muddy river
somehow listeners seem to connect with the songwriter, despite his deeply personal, often opaque lyrics
Recent Examples on the Web
Paintings from this period are distinguished by their flat appearance, with no depth of field or any other realistic depictions, and opaque earth tones.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Research conducted by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has found these firms to be opaque and falling woefully short of their human rights responsibilities.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Patients often find healthcare billing to be opaque and confusing.
—Rajeev Ronanki, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Observers say Bhutan’s rhetoric on this issue has become increasingly opaque in recent years, and some wonder whether the kingdom’s muted comments are because it’s already reached a tacit understanding with China to give up some territorial claims.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opaque 
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Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Research conducted by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has found these firms to be opaque and falling woefully short of their human rights responsibilities.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Patients often find healthcare billing to be opaque and confusing.
—Rajeev Ronanki, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Observers say Bhutan’s rhetoric on this issue has become increasingly opaque in recent years, and some wonder whether the kingdom’s muted comments are because it’s already reached a tacit understanding with China to give up some territorial claims.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opaque
Dictionary Entries Near opaque
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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