inscrutable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inscrutable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to understand or interpret, often referring to a person's expression or a situation. Example: "Her inscrutable smile left everyone wondering what she was really thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have come to this muddy corner of County Wicklow to record their new album – spurred on by their obsessive, inscrutable, fibreglass-headed leader.

The Guardian - Film

On Tuesday morning, in the face of defeat, a member of Goodluck Jonathan's party issued accusations of bias, but Jega remained inscrutable.

The Guardian

As I sit, worrying silently beneath the inscrutable scrutiny of my dentist, I have a vague understanding that things may have changed since my last visit to the chair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She captured Francis Bacon's anxious restlessness, Orson Welles's intensity, the young David Hockney's emerging dandyism, Björk's antic imagination and Samuel Beckett's inscrutable gaze.

The Guardian - Arts

In the late 1930s, he achieved great success churning out a series of mediocre if charming crime films, as the inscrutable Japanese detective, Mr Moto.

The Guardian - Film

Our first trip to Japan performing Thick as a Brick to inscrutable, unflinching observers left us longing for the warm and more comprehensible sights and sounds of Europe.

The Guardian - Music

Storm Thorgerson could be inscrutable, grand and archly funny – all qualities that placed him some distance from the music industry's standard mixture of flimsy bonhomie and superficiality.

The Guardian - Music

In all this, perhaps what baffles me most is the fact that video games are still considered the blood-splattered playground of the inscrutable yoof.

The Guardian - Opinion

The camera cuts to Algeria manager Vahid Halilhodzic, who is sitting on his bench looking most inscrutable.

The Guardian - Sport

But so far their voices have been drowned out by arguments about the message that "we" should have handed down to "them" – the remote and inscrutable tribe known as the electorate.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one can be trusted with powers as wide and inscrutable as these.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, "inscrutable" suggests complexity beyond comprehension.

Common error

While "inscrutable" is a valid word, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "hard to understand" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "inscrutable" functions primarily to describe something that is impossible to understand or interpret. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with standard grammatical usage and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "inscrutable" is a versatile adjective, meaning difficult or impossible to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing. It is frequently employed in news and media contexts and formal business settings, suggesting a moderate level of formality. While synonyms like "unfathomable" or "enigmatic" exist, "inscrutable" carries a unique connotation of something deliberately or inherently mysterious. Use it to describe expressions, objects, or systems that defy easy interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfathomable

Emphasizes the impossibility of fully understanding something.

enigmatic

Highlights the mysterious and puzzling nature of something.

mysterious

Focuses on the unknown and secretive aspects.

unreadable

Suggests a lack of clarity or transparency.

impenetrable

Conveys the idea of something being impossible to get through or understand.

arcane

Implies something is known or understood by only a few.

obscure

Indicates a lack of clarity or prominence.

opaque

Suggests a lack of transparency, either literally or figuratively.

perplexing

Highlights the confusing and baffling nature of something.

baffling

Emphasizes the confusing and bewildering nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "inscrutable" in a sentence?

You can use "inscrutable" to describe something difficult to understand, like "The ancient text was "difficult to decipher" because it was written in an inscrutable language" or to describe a person's expression: "He maintained an inscrutable expression throughout the trial".

What are some synonyms for "inscrutable"?

Alternatives to "inscrutable" include "unfathomable", "enigmatic", "mysterious", and "unreadable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "inscrutable" and "ambiguous"?

"Inscrutable" suggests something is impossible to interpret or understand, while "ambiguous" means something can be interpreted in multiple ways. "Inscrutable" implies a lack of clarity, while "ambiguous" implies multiple possible meanings.

Is it correct to use "inscrutable" to describe a person?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. You can describe a person's behavior, expression, or character as "inscrutable" if they are "difficult to understand" or their motives are unclear. For example: "Her inscrutable nature made it hard to predict her actions".