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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscure
Eric Goodman, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
This field historically has been obscure, but recent advances in AI may bring it front and center.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Most weapons that are trafficked aren’t seized or traced back to dealers, and those that are are largely obscured from public view.
—Sean Campbell, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Adjective
The international breakfast buffet included obscure regional specialties, Thai noodle soup, an array of tropical fruit, and organic juices.
—Eric Goodman, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
This field historically has been obscure, but recent advances in AI may bring it front and center.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
Local farmers speaking with the researchers told them of a boulder deep inland atop a cliff, covered by dense vegetation that obscured it from aerial view, and led them to it.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Most weapons that are trafficked aren’t seized or traced back to dealers, and those that are are largely obscured from public view.
—Sean Campbell, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
Adjective
-
At first unsure, Ester allows the guy to touch her, and as a viewer the scene is ambiguous.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
24 May 2025
-
The camera flies out over the water, and neither Cecilie nor the audience gets a definitive answer, with the series coming to an ambiguous and unsettling end.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
The precise number of German casualties on the day is unknown, but they are estimated to be between 4,000 and 9,000.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Over time, however, the label lost credibility—undermined by vague accounting, low-quality offsets, and limited transparency.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
On the surface, Brunson’s comments were vague – even harmless.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Then, a sliding mechanism was discreetly integrated to allow for a television and soundbar to be concealed behind the panels.—
Nicole Trilivas,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
But that average conceals more-vulnerable pockets in the state: in two counties, one-quarter of children didn’t have their shots, and in eight schools, less than half did.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Contemplating the issue from a more macro standpoint, AI is increasingly blurring the lines around what constitutes academic honesty.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Anyone moving from a smartphone up to the EOS 2000D will be amazed by the image quality and the ability to produce shots with beautiful bokeh (background blur).—
Rowena Cockett,
Space.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Before Tessitore and Barrett could finish arguing, the screen cut out to a cryptic promo from Uncle Howdy, who teased coming after the Tag Team Titles.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
On Thursday, May 29, the 20-year-old shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
There is no evidence that Ms. Harris paid for the endorsements, although details on celebrity engagements can be somewhat murky.—
Theodore Schleifer,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
-
Even as the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China has lifted sentiment this week, some major U.S. companies are issuing warnings about rising costs and a murky macroeconomic outlook.—
Pia Singh,Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Fortunately, telescopic technology has come a long way in the past 95 years, with deep surveys that can capture the passage of a faint object.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 May 2025
-
In Court Musk Announces His Exit From Trump Administration—What To Know The faint signal from navigation satellites is easy to jam.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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