What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abstruse
Example
The professor's lecture on quantum physics was too abstruse for most of the students. [abstruse: adjective]
Example
The book's abstruse language made it challenging to read and comprehend. [abstruse: adjective]
esoteric
Example
The group's esoteric rituals were only known to its members. [esoteric: adjective]
Example
The author's esoteric references to ancient mythology made the book challenging for some readers. [esoteric: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abstruse is more commonly used than esoteric in everyday language. Abstruse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while esoteric is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abstruse and esoteric?
Both abstruse and esoteric are formal words that are typically used in academic, technical, or specialized contexts.
