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 abstrusenessb : an act or instance of obscurantism
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of obscurantism from the Web
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This started to take effect even before the Internet took off, on account of crate-digging, esotericism and obscurantism, and the burgeoning reissue industry.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obscurantism'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
1834
First Known Use of obscurantism
1834
OBSCURANTISM Defined for English Language Learners
obscurantism
playDefinition of obscurantism for English Language Learners
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: the practice of keeping knowledge or understanding about something from people : the policy of not letting people know something
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