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
Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
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
Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
From Korea alone, seven new projects spanning coming-of-age dramas to occult horror are seeking international co-production opportunities.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occult
Adjective
Speaking of infernal-sounding, pay close attention around the 4:30 mark here, and witness the occult-metal mastery of Mercyful Fate riffsmith Hank Shermann, abetted by his trusty partner Michael Denner.
—Verb
Of course, many other (fainter) stars will also be occulted during the moon's passage through the cluster.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for occult
Adjective
-
Not to mention the titular bugs, a swarm of blood-invading creatures discovered by her new lover, the mysterious drifter Peter Evans (Namir Smallwood).—
-
The Columbus, Ohio, police chief is speaking out for the first time since the mysterious murders of dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe.—
Adjective
-
Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.—
-
Even in agencies that have, some policies are weak or ambiguous.—
Adjective
-
And then this magic area of just knowing how to communicate it and connect with players.—
-
This was the year Kansas City lost its magic pixie dust … while ultimately scuffling to a 6-11 finish.—
Verb
-
This International Dark Sky Park, located in southwest Texas, is about a six-hour drive from San Antonio, the nearest city, so there won't be much light pollution obscuring your views of the constellations.—
-
Medical issues and money woes can create a fog of anxiety that obscures the path forward.—
Adjective
-
By contrast, fringe subcultures operate in a more cryptic and chaotic manner.—
-
Heeding these cryptic words some three decades later, the audacious (and well-read) impresario Tony Wilson opened the Haçienda together with the circle of post-punk musicians and designers involved with his label, Factory Records.—
Adjective
-
Helena, meanwhile, was supposedly a mystic receiving directions from spiritual masters hidden in the Himalayas.—
-
This was the danger Madison considered — that mystic memory would falsely elevate the Constitution.—
Adjective
-
Her nails complete the magical look with silver chrome on a clear, glassy set, created by nail artist Juan Alvear with Aprés Gel-X Short Natural Almond Tips.—
-
And America deserves better than another Middle Eastern misadventure born of good intentions and magical thinking.—
Verb
-
The actress became pregnant with their first child while filming season 3 of The Rookie, and instead of strategically concealing her pregnancy to play Angela, creator Alexi Hawley simply wrote it into Diaz's character's storyline.—
-
Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.—
Cite this Entry
“Occult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occult. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share