abstruse
/əbˈstɹuːs/
Group 32Difficulty 3/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Difficult to understand; obscure GRE
Example in Context
The philosopher's abstruse arguments, while intellectually rigorous, were inaccessible to all but a handful of specialists in the field.
Synonyms
hard to graspcomplexobscure
Etymology
Refers to something that is difficult to grasp or understand due to its obscurity.
- abstrusus (Latin) — hidden, concealed
Memory Aid
🥤Sounds like “abs juice”
Trying to understand quantum physics is like trying to drink ABS JUICE — it’s just too hard to swallow, very ABSTRUSE!
Visual Association
🧩A person staring at a complex puzzle, struggling to fit the final pieces together.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “abstruse” mean on the GRE?
abstruse (adjective) means “Difficult to understand; obscure”. The philosopher's abstruse arguments, while intellectually rigorous, were inaccessible to all but a handful of specialists in the field.
How to remember “abstruse” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “abstruse” sounds like “abs juice”. Trying to understand quantum physics is like trying to drink ABS JUICE — it’s just too hard to swallow, very ABSTRUSE!
What are synonyms for “abstruse”?
Common synonyms: hard to grasp, complex, obscure.