What are some opposite words for ambiguous?

Antonyms for ambiguous
æmˈbɪg yu əsam·bigu·ous

This page is about all possible antonyms and opposite words for the term ambiguous.

Wiktionary4.0 / 1 vote

  1. ambiguousadjective

    Antonyms:
    specific, precise, unambiguous

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

  2. ambiguousadjective

    Open to multiple interpretations.

    The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.

    Antonyms:
    specific, precise, unambiguous

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

  3. ambiguousadjective

    Vague and unclear.

    He gave an ambiguous answer.

    Antonyms:
    precise, unambiguous, specific

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

  4. ambiguousadjective

    Of persons: hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.

    Thomas Salusbury (1662): And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous, and Simplicius is resolute....

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

    Antonyms:
    specific, unambiguous, precise

English Synonyms and Antonyms4.7 / 3 votes

  1. ambiguous

    Equivocal (Latin equus, equal, and vox, voice, word) denotes that which may equally well be understood in either of two or more ways. Ambiguous (Latin ambi, around, and ago, drive, lead) signifies lacking in distinctness or certainty, obscure or doubtful through indefiniteness of expression. Ambiguous is applied only to spoken or written statements; equivocal has other applications. A statement is ambiguous when it leaves the mind of the reader or hearer to fluctuate between two meanings, which would fit the language equally well; it is equivocal when it would naturally be understood in one way, but is capable of a different interpretation; an equivocal expression is, as a rule, intentionally deceptive, while an ambiguous utterance may be simply the result of a want either of clear thought or of adequate expression. That which is enigmatical must be guessed like a riddle; a statement may be purposely made enigmatical in order to provoke thought and study. That is doubtful which is fairly open to doubt; that is dubious which has become the subject of doubts so grave as scarcely to fall short of condemnation; as, a dubious reputation. Questionable may be used nearly in the sense either of dubious or of doubtful; a questionable statement is one that must be proved before it can be accepted. To say that one's honesty is questionable is a mild way of saying that in the opinion of the speaker he is likely to prove dishonest. Equivocal is sometimes, tho more rarely, used in this sense. A suspicious character gives manifest reason to be suspected; a suspicious temper is inclined to suspect the motives and intentions of others, with or without reason. Compare CLEAR.

    Antonyms:
    certain, clear, distinct, evident, indisputable, indubitable, lucid, manifest, obvious, perspicuous, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal, unquestionable, unquestioned

    Synonyms:
    doubtful, dubious, enigmatic, enigmatical, equivocal, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, obscure, perplexing, questionable, suspicious, uncertain

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms4.3 / 3 votes

  1. ambiguous

    Antonyms:
    univocal, obvious, plain, clear, unambiguous, indisputable, necessary, unmistakable, unequivocal, lucid

    Synonyms:
    equivocal, vague, doubtful, enigmatical, uncertain, obscure, unintelligible, perplexing, indistinct, dubious

Matched Categories

Princeton's WordNet5.0 / 1 vote

  1. equivocal, ambiguousadjective

    open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead

    "an equivocal statement"; "the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates"; "the officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness"; "popularity is an equivocal crown"; "an equivocal response to an embarrassing question"

    Antonyms:
    unambiguous, structured, monosemous

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

  2. ambiguousadjective

    having more than one possible meaning

    "ambiguous words"; "frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy"

    Antonyms:
    monosemous, unambiguous, structured

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

  3. ambiguousadjective

    having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns

    "an ambiguous situation with no frame of reference"; "ambiguous inkblots"

    Antonyms:
    structured, monosemous, unambiguous

    Synonyms:
    equivocal

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words0.0 / 0 votes

  1. ambiguousadjective

    Synonyms:
    indefinite, delphic, equivocal, vague, doubtful

How to use ambiguous in a sentence?

  1. Martin Chorzempa:

    There is nervousness about China's ambiguous, but Russia-leaning stance on the Ukraine conflict, which raises worries that China could be targeted by sanctions if it helps Russia.

  2. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov:

    Within the U.S.-led coalition there should no ambiguous talk about any ‘Plan B’, about a ground operation being planned, or about the creation of some buffer no-fly zones, which have long been recognized as absolutely unacceptable.

  3. Tamara Lawrence:

    We train and operate in dynamic, complex and ambiguous environments and our operators are empowered and trusted to independently make difficult decisions during missions, they have consistently proven that their empowerment and trust is warranted. Allegations that indicate otherwise are, and will continue to be, investigated by the appropriate military and law enforcement authorities.

  4. Michael Pillsbury:

    There is no specific agreement for a phased rollback of the tariffs, the American side has been ambiguous when and which tariffs will be lifted. The Chinese have some wishful thinking and are trying to soothe their domestic hardliners that the tariffs will someday come off.

  5. Steve Vladeck:

    The President is allowed to adopt reasonable interpretations of ambiguous federal statutes.

How to pronounce ambiguous?

How to say ambiguous in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

rankingword
#738specific
#907clear
#1100certain
#1105necessary
#3226plain
#4450obvious
#6028distinct
#6955structured
#7489precise
#8487evident
#13329manifest
#17795ambiguous
#24803lucid
#32675unambiguous
#39518unmistakable
#47283unequivocal
#60486indisputable
#75166unquestionable
#76254unquestioned
#173566indubitable
#235641perspicuous
#264396univocal

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