Cryptic
Cryptic adjective - Being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain.
Usage example: puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer
Obscure is a synonym for cryptic in unclear topic. In some cases you can use "Obscure" instead the word "Cryptic" as an adjective or a verb, when it comes to topics like ambiguous, mysterious, enigmatic.
Obscure
Obscure adjective - Having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning.
Usage example: a fantasy writer who likes to put lots of obscure references and images in her tales of wizards and warlocks
Cryptic is a synonym for obscure in abstruse topic. You can use "Cryptic" instead an adjective "Obscure", if it concerns topics such as unclear, ambiguous, enigmatic, out-of-the-way.
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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Similarly, Morrowind contains books which question in obscure and cryptic terms the nature of games, the role of the player, and the meaning of life.
Source: Viewers Are Geniuses -
It doesn't help that Kosh is deliberately obscure and metaphorical when he does bother to speak, either just to be vague and cryptic, to intimidate, or just because it's part of his sense of humor.
Source: Starfish Language -
The words are in the handwriting of your True Love and may be a name, address, or cryptic clue like a poem or obscure reference.
Source: Red String of Fate
Cite this Source
Obscure and Cryptic. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 20, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cryptic/obscure
Cryptic & Obscure. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cryptic/obscure>.
Obscure or Cryptic. 2016. Accessed July 20, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cryptic/obscure.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cryptic" and "obscure" have occurred on timeline