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
Additional money in the network came from supporters of charter schools, from the real estate and development industries, and from other opaque nonprofit groups.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 3 July 2024
Our tester also has the optional electrochromic-glass sunroof, which transforms from clear to 99 percent opaque at the push of a button.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 2 July 2024
So there’s the cost piece, which obviously was very, very attractive to consumers, especially because this was just an industry ripe for disruption, given everything you guys said and kind of the opaque nature of some of the economics and the need for disintermediation here.
—Alena Botros, Fortune, 27 June 2024
Haspil was armed with a knife and taser and wore a black custom suit with an opaque mask to disguise himself, according to the release.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for opaque 
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 3 July 2024
Our tester also has the optional electrochromic-glass sunroof, which transforms from clear to 99 percent opaque at the push of a button.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 2 July 2024
So there’s the cost piece, which obviously was very, very attractive to consumers, especially because this was just an industry ripe for disruption, given everything you guys said and kind of the opaque nature of some of the economics and the need for disintermediation here.
—Alena Botros, Fortune, 27 June 2024
Haspil was armed with a knife and taser and wore a black custom suit with an opaque mask to disguise himself, according to the release.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for opaque
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opaque.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near opaque
Cite this Entry
“Opaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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