obscure 1 of 2

adjective

äb-ˈskyu̇r How to pronounce obscure (audio)
Definition of obscurenext
1
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning a fantasy writer who likes to put lots of obscure references and images in her tales of wizards and warlocks

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2
as in unknown
not widely known he's an obscure artist now, but he's sure to be famous someday

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3
as in darkened
being without light or without much light hid in an obscure spot among the trees

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4
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly a distinction so obscure that only the experts can really see it

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obscure

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view the investigative reporters obscured their real motives for visiting the company by pretending the story was about something else

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2
as in to blur
to make dark, dim, or indistinct when it isn't obscured by smog, the view of the city from the observatory can be spectacular

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obscure different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obscure are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When can ambiguous be used instead of obscure?

The meanings of ambiguous and obscure largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

In what contexts can cryptic take the place of obscure?

While the synonyms cryptic and obscure are close in meaning, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When is dark a more appropriate choice than obscure?

The words dark and obscure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When might enigmatic be a better fit than obscure?

The words enigmatic and obscure can be used in similar contexts, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When could equivocal be used to replace obscure?

While in some cases nearly identical to obscure, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Where would vague be a reasonable alternative to obscure?

In some situations, the words vague and obscure are roughly equivalent. However, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

How is the word obscure different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obscure are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When can ambiguous be used instead of obscure?

The meanings of ambiguous and obscure largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

In what contexts can cryptic take the place of obscure?

While the synonyms cryptic and obscure are close in meaning, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When is dark a more appropriate choice than obscure?

The words dark and obscure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When might enigmatic be a better fit than obscure?

The words enigmatic and obscure can be used in similar contexts, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When could equivocal be used to replace obscure?

While in some cases nearly identical to obscure, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Where would vague be a reasonable alternative to obscure?

In some situations, the words vague and obscure are roughly equivalent. However, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obscure
Adjective
At the story’s start Mathilda happens upon a new Transfixion, the obscure Black modernist poet Hermia Druitt, who sends her into a tailspin unlike any who came before. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 Though legend attributes the dish’s invention to the 10th-century scientist Ibn Sina, of the Silk Road city of Bukhara, its true origins are obscure. —Michael Snyder, Saveur, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Something could have obscured critical knowledge. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 14 Mar. 2026 The recognition of impact craters on the Earth is difficult, said Koeberl, because active geological and atmospheric processes on our planet tend to obscure or erase the impact record in geologically short time periods. —Leonard David, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
  1. ambiguous
  2. unknown
  3. darkened
  4. vague
  5. conceal
  6. blur
  7. cryptic
  8. murky
Adjective
  • The answer is not much—Fennell makes explicit, via sadomasochism, the power differentials and emotional degradations that are so often ambiguous in the original.
    — Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
  • That the film doesn’t end on Marty’s comeuppance but something far more ambiguous feels correct.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Back in January, an unknown trader made hundreds of thousands of dollars on Polymarket event contracts regarding the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
    — Luke Garrett, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Fire Department said paramedics took one person to the hospital in an unknown condition.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of unknown
Adjective
  • As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • The title Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is pretty vague, and the new trailer doesn’t clear much up.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This implies regime change, yet the administration’s ambitions have in fact been vague and inconsistent.
    — Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of vague
Verb
  • Doja’s assistant slips through, gives me the thumbs-up, and ushers me into a dressing room the size of a tennis court, black velvet curtains concealing the walls.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Beyond that, the county has concealed most legal bills from the process — fees paid to outside lawyers and investigators who built the case against Corpus and looked into her counter-accusations — citing attorney-client privilege.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • In the movie theater, and increasingly on smaller screens, the boundaries between real and reel wavers and blurs.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Still, both were cognizant that Fred would treat Sam as a player and only a player between the lines and not blur the lines between parenting and coaching.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of blur
Adjective
  • The composer behind Euphoria‘s memorable soundtrack called out the HBO show in a scathing and cryptic social media post.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026
  • With Liu's rise, her father's story bubbled up in China's social media, though any mention was usually brief and cryptic because the 1989 Tiananmen Movement — generally known as 6-4 for the date of the military crackdown, remains a deeply sensitive political taboo in China 37 years later.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • What that résumé doesn’t show, however, is Sinofsky’s entanglement in the murkier corners of the business world.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The power of the rap lies in the murky mystery behind it.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of murky

Browse Nearby Words

obscurant
obscure
obscured
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Cite this Entry

“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obscure

Nglish: Translation of obscure for Spanish Speakers

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