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TAKE THE QUIZobscurantism
noun
ob·scu·ran·tism
äb-ˈskyu̇r-ən-ˌti-zəm 
əb-;
ˌäb-skyu̇-ˈran-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
For 33 years, Salman Rushdie has embodied freedom and the fight against obscurantism.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2022
Of course this institutionalized flight toward obscurantism is not limited to Jews.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2013
May these words allow to put a stop to this unbearable coercion and open, at last, a new era in Iran, and wherever women are victim of obscurantism.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 Oct. 2022
More troubling still, universities can get away with obscurantism and enforced ideological conformism because of their enormous power over labor markets.
—Joel Kotkin, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
The history of its practice in Jerusalem presents a parade of eccentrics and fanatics, enlivened by obscurantism and riot.
—Dominic Green, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021
Imbued with a sense of grandeur, France harks back to the Enlightenment to speak about fighting obscurantism in the world today and proffers its secular universalism as a model for modern societies.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Sep. 2021
Imbued with a sense of grandeur, France harks back to the Enlightenment to speak about fighting obscurantism in the world today and proffers its secular universalism as a model for modern societies.
—New York Times, 23 Sep. 2021
Your homework assignment: Look up this exciting word — obscurantism.
—Gary Gilson, Star Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020
See More
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2022
Of course this institutionalized flight toward obscurantism is not limited to Jews.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2013
May these words allow to put a stop to this unbearable coercion and open, at last, a new era in Iran, and wherever women are victim of obscurantism.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 Oct. 2022
More troubling still, universities can get away with obscurantism and enforced ideological conformism because of their enormous power over labor markets.
—Joel Kotkin, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
The history of its practice in Jerusalem presents a parade of eccentrics and fanatics, enlivened by obscurantism and riot.
—Dominic Green, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021
Imbued with a sense of grandeur, France harks back to the Enlightenment to speak about fighting obscurantism in the world today and proffers its secular universalism as a model for modern societies.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Sep. 2021
Imbued with a sense of grandeur, France harks back to the Enlightenment to speak about fighting obscurantism in the world today and proffers its secular universalism as a model for modern societies.
—New York Times, 23 Sep. 2021
Your homework assignment: Look up this exciting word — obscurantism.
—Gary Gilson, Star Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from German Obscurantismus or French obscurantisme, from Latin obscūrant-, obscūrans, present participle of obscūrāre "to darken, eclipse, conceal from knowledge" + German -ismus, French -isme -ism — more at obscure entry 2
First Known Use
1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near obscurantism
Cite this Entry
“Obscurantism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscurantism. Accessed 8 Feb. 2023.
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