obscurantism

noun

ob·scu·ran·tism | \ äb-ˈskyu̇r-ən-ˌti-zəm

, əb-; ˌäb-skyu̇-ˈran-\

Definition of obscurantism

1 : opposition to the spread of knowledge : a policy of withholding knowledge from the general public

2a : a style (as in literature or art) characterized by deliberate vagueness or abstruseness

b : an act or instance of obscurantism

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Examples of obscurantism in a Sentence

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The secular Republic—as defended by Sarkozy, Hollande, and then Valls, along with numerous intellectuals and editorial writers—conveniently united the fight against Islamist obscurantism in France with that in Afghanistan. — Rony Brauman, Harper's magazine, "Salable Virtues," 10 Apr. 2019 Some of his ire is justified—there is a lot of obscurantism in the world—but most works to bypass rather than engage. — Samuel Moyn, The New Republic, "Hype for the Best," 19 Mar. 2018 This started to take effect even before the Internet took off, on account of crate-digging, esotericism and obscurantism, and the burgeoning reissue industry. — Bruce Sterling, WIRED, "Musica Globalista: the farewell essay by Simon Reynolds, ‘Here Comes Everything’," 2 Sep. 2011

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