obscurity
noun
ob·scu·ri·ty
äb-ˈskyu̇r-ə-tē 
əb-
plural obscurities
1
: one that is obscure
… peppered with quotes from … heavy hitters, as well as some downright obscurities.—
Penelope Green
Penelope Green2
: the quality or state of being obscure
novels that have faded into obscurity
Synonyms
Examples of obscurity in a Sentence
In recent years, the tradition has emerged from obscurity.
He has been living in relative obscurity in a small town in the mountains.
After a promising first novel, she faded into obscurity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Her story began in an untraditional way: Here is a young author, plucked from obscurity by a powerful app’s algorithm during a conveniently timed e-commerce push and turned into a best-selling phenom.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024
Hometown beauty queen Barbara Parker is plucked from obscurity and rebranded as Sophie Straw, the star of the BBC’s latest hit comedy.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024
To be fair, the story, set during World War II and the two decades after, probably benefits from some obscurity.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Over the last three months, Lazer Dim 700’s off-the-wall oddities have turned him from SoundCloud obscurity to internet sensation.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024
China in recent years has emerged from auto industry obscurity to pass Germany in auto exports.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Robert Ben Shushan, the founder, with his keen eye for talent, has cultivated stars from complete obscurity to international fame, including Moran Atias, an international model turned popular television actress in Italy, Europe, Israel, and the United States.
—Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
Following in the rich tradition of Kurt Warner and Warren Moon, Purdy has quickly risen from relative obscurity.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024
But then their work faded into obscurity for half a century.
—Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024
Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024
Hometown beauty queen Barbara Parker is plucked from obscurity and rebranded as Sophie Straw, the star of the BBC’s latest hit comedy.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2024
To be fair, the story, set during World War II and the two decades after, probably benefits from some obscurity.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Over the last three months, Lazer Dim 700’s off-the-wall oddities have turned him from SoundCloud obscurity to internet sensation.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024
China in recent years has emerged from auto industry obscurity to pass Germany in auto exports.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Robert Ben Shushan, the founder, with his keen eye for talent, has cultivated stars from complete obscurity to international fame, including Moran Atias, an international model turned popular television actress in Italy, Europe, Israel, and the United States.
—Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
Following in the rich tradition of Kurt Warner and Warren Moon, Purdy has quickly risen from relative obscurity.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024
But then their work faded into obscurity for half a century.
—Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obscurity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near obscurity
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscurity. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obscurity
noun
ob·scu·ri·ty
äb-ˈskyu̇r-ət-ē
əb-
plural obscurities
1
: something that is obscure
2
: the quality or state of being obscure
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