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nebulousness

nebulousness

8.8
A state of being unclear with no definite meaning or edges
  • noun
  • /ˈnɛbjələsnəs/
translation icon : nebulosidad
  • In the meeting, the nebulousness of the new policy generated more questions than answers.

Examples

  • It's fine if you believe otherwise, but it's not based on rational fact; rather, it's based on emotions and the nebulousness of belief.

    Blog text (13)
  • The nebulousness of the exception concept is also relevant to the debate over the contraceptive coverage mandate.

    Blog text (1)
  • The nebulousness of her explanation left everyone confused about the project details.

  • His thoughts were clouded by the nebulousness of uncertainty about the future.

Synonyms

ambiguity
vsnebulousness
57 6.3

A lack of clear meaning that allows people to understand it in different ways

centres on single unclear shape or boundary rather than multiple meanings
vagueness
vsnebulousness
8 6.1

Lack of clear or exact meaning that makes things hard to understand

is more about unclear shape or boundaries rather than only lack of precision
indeterminacy
vsnebulousness
2 8.9

An unclear or uncertain situation that makes meaning hard to know

puts more weight on lack of definite shape or borders
formlessness
vsnebulousness
1 7.2

The state of having no clear shape or structure

includes that idea but also covers abstract vagueness and unclear boundaries
indefiniteness
vsnebulousness
1 7.8

A lack of clear details that makes something hard to understand

emphasizes unclear shape or boundaries rather than just definition
haziness
vsnebulousness
1 6.3

A state when ideas, plans, or memories are not clear

is broader, covering vagueness in shape and general meaning
murkiness
vsnebulousness
1 6.7

Unclear or hidden information that is hard to understand

is broader, also referring to vague form and weak boundaries
incoherency
vsnebulousness
1 7.5

A lack of clear, organized speech or writing that makes it hard to follow

is vaguer in form and boundary sense rather than merely disorganized
nebulosity
vsnebulousness
9.9

A state of being unclear and hard to understand

is identical in meaning but uses a different word form
indefinity
vsnebulousness
9.9

The state of being vague or not clear

highlights unclear form or boundaries more than abstract definition
indeterminateness
vsnebulousness
9.9

A situation where meaning is not clear or exact

stresses unclear form or shape rather than only definitional uncertainty
indetermination
vsnebulousness
9.5

A lack of clear or exact meaning

leans more toward unclear form and boundaries than unsettledness
unclarity
vsnebulousness
7.7

Information or speech that is hard to understand and causes confusion

adds the idea of lacking definite form or boundaries beyond mere unclear text
unclearness
vsnebulousness
7.7

A situation when something is hard to understand

extends that unclear quality to physical form and boundary vagueness
woolliness
vsnebulousness
7.0

A vague, unclear way of expressing ideas

is more general, covering vague form and unclear boundaries too
opaqueness
vsnebulousness
  • Formal
8.7

How hard it is to understand something because its meaning is unclear

focuses less on hiddenness and more on vague form or limits
sketchiness
vsnebulousness
7.5

Not having enough detail makes something unclear

covers that lack but emphasizes unclear form and indistinct boundaries
bagginess
vsnebulousness
6.0

Lack of clear rules or limits that causes confusion

is about vagueness in form and boundaries beyond rule looseness

Antonyms

152 3.0

How easy it is to understand what someone says or writes

1 5.6

The quality of being clear and certain so people have no doubt

How Vague

obscurity
5 7.4
nebulousness
8.8
vagueness
8 6.1

Surface Forms

nebulousness singular

Morphology

nebulousness = nebulous (transparent) = nebula + ness

The noun is a regular nominalization of the adjective 'nebulous' (itself derived from 'nebula'), so the quality 'of being vague or cloud-like' follows directly.

Etymology

Nebulousness comes from the Latin root nebula, which means 'mist' or 'cloud'. Like a thick mist that hides shapes, nebulousness means being vague or unclear, so details are hard to see or understand.