What descriptive term implies something cannot be easily understood or is hidden?

The term "cryptic" is associated with something that is obscure, mysterious, or difficult to understand. When a communication, message, or meaning is described as cryptic, it suggests that it is encoded, concealed, or otherwise not readily apparent to the audience. This creates an air of ambiguity, making it challenging to decipher the underlying meaning without additional context or analysis.

In contrast, terms like “evident” and “obvious” imply clarity and straightforwardness, while “transparent” suggests openness and lack of concealment. These alternatives emphasize clarity and easy comprehension, which is in direct opposition to the quality of being cryptic. Thus, "cryptic" aptly captures the essence of concepts that are not easily grasped or that contain hidden layers of meaning.