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
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
His sister’s rationale for sticking with Malassezia was that the name’s obscurity would shield it from scrutiny.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 26 May 2025
Less visible are the civil rights struggles its Asian American community fought to attain.
State of play: Though figures like Wong Kim Ark have received more attention in recent years, there are still a plethora who remain in obscurity.
—Shawna Chen, Axios, 22 May 2025
Souter's very obscurity became the deciding factor in his favor, in addition to his state judicial experience and impeccable academic credentials—Harvard undergraduate (Phi Beta Kappa) and law degrees, along with one from Oxford, earned as a Rhodes Scholar.
—Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
But the felt’s furred obscurity conjured novel mysteries.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
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Ashley Vega, People.com, 26 May 2025
Less visible are the civil rights struggles its Asian American community fought to attain.
State of play: Though figures like Wong Kim Ark have received more attention in recent years, there are still a plethora who remain in obscurity.
—Shawna Chen, Axios, 22 May 2025
Souter's very obscurity became the deciding factor in his favor, in addition to his state judicial experience and impeccable academic credentials—Harvard undergraduate (Phi Beta Kappa) and law degrees, along with one from Oxford, earned as a Rhodes Scholar.
—Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
But the felt’s furred obscurity conjured novel mysteries.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscurity. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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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