Synonyms of obscure

obscure 1 of 2

adjective

äb-ˈskyu̇r 

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

• ambiguous
• cryptic
• dark
• mysterious
• enigmatic
• esoteric
• mystic
• vague
• murky
• unclear
• opaque
• questionable
• inscrutable
• nebulous
• arcane
• occult
• uncertain
• equivocal
• deep
• confusing
• Delphic
• obscurant
• elliptical
• recondite
• fuliginous
• complicated
• weird
• abstruse
• uncanny
• difficult
• eerie
• shadowy
• double-edged
• fuzzy
• indistinct
• disguised
• indirect
• incomprehensible
• hazy
• shrouded
• inexplicable
• concealed
• faint
• indecipherable
• masked
• cloaked
• foggy
• undefined
• puzzling
• misty
• invisible
• complex
• perplexing
• dim
• shaded
• muddy
• baffling
• clouded
• indistinguishable
• undetermined
• inexact
• indefinite
• intangible
• obfuscatory
• impenetrable
• confounding
• unknowable
• cloudy
• mystifying
• bewildering
• noncommittal
• inexplicit
• unanswerable
• unfathomable
• obtuse
• inappreciable
• impalpable
• sphinxlike
• shadowlike
• beclouded
• circuitous
• befogged
• bedimmed
• roundabout
• obnubilated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obvious
• clear
• plain
• accessible
• certain
• unambiguous
• distinct
• understandable
• intelligible
• evident
• unequivocal
• comprehensible
• legible
• bright
• sure
• strong
• direct
• knowable
• defined
• firm
• nonambiguous
• explicit
• definite
• pellucid
• straightforward
• visible
• fathomable
• exact
• determined
• self-evident
• self-explanatory
• appreciable
• tangible
• unmistakable
• blatant
• palpable
• patent

2

as in unknown

not widely known

he's an obscure artist now, but he's sure to be famous someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unknown
• unpopular
• unrecognized
• unsung
• no-name
• anonymous
• uncelebrated
• unimportant
• unfamous
• nameless
• minor
• forgotten
• undistinguished
• unremarkable
• insignificant
• noteless
• unnoticed
• unexceptional
• unrecognizable
• unnoticeable
• unremembered
• faceless
• unnewsworthy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prominent
• famous
• notorious
• famed
• celebrated
• renowned
• legendary
• noted
• fabled
• notable
• infamous
• great
• remarkable
• fabulous
• outstanding
• distinguished
• eminent
• well-known
• important
• illustrious
• exceptional
• major
• prestigious
• significant
• influential
• honorable
• noteworthy
• reputable
• respectable
• popular
• leading
• favorite
• preferred
• estimable
• newsworthy

3

as in darkened

being without light or without much light

hid in an obscure spot among the trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darkened
• murky
• dark
• obscured
• black
• dim
• dusky
• somber
• dimmed
• unlit
• gloomy
• darkling
• lightless
• darkish
• stygian
• dusk
• tenebrous
• darksome
• pitch-dark
• pitch-black
• caliginous
• pitchy
• rayless
• twilit
• tenebrific
• crepuscular
• shadowy
• shady
• lackluster
• misty
• moonless
• gray
• starless
• clouded
• dulled
• cloudy
• pale
• dull
• foggy
• leaden
• fuliginous
• smoggy
• shadowlike
• sunless
• befogged
• soupy
• beclouded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• brilliant
• luminous
• illuminated
• bright
• shining
• lucid
• lucent
• lit
• glaring
• sparkling
• illumined
• incandescent
• resplendent
• radiant
• brightened
• effulgent
• lightsome
• glowing
• lambent
• beamy
• shiny
• alight
• glossy
• lustrous
• beaming
• highlighted
• aglitter
• relucent
• agleam
• spotlighted
• moonlit
• sunlit
• ultrabright
• moony
• ablaze
• starlit
• floodlit

4

as in vague

not seen or understood clearly

a distinction so obscure that only the experts can really see it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vague
• faint
• hazy
• unclear
• shadowy
• indistinct
• nebulous
• opaque
• pale
• dark
• fuzzy
• murky
• undefined
• blurry
• foggy
• misty
• dim
• undetermined
• indistinguishable
• indefinite
• blear
• bleary
• gauzy
• invisible
• dusky
• mysterious
• gloomy
• intangible
• incomprehensible
• puzzling
• inexplicable
• impalpable
• indecipherable
• inappreciable
• obfuscatory
• hieroglyphic
• indiscernible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clear
• definite
• obvious
• distinct
• certain
• plain
• evident
• bright
• pellucid
• sure
• strong
• firm

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conceal
• hide
• cover
• suppress
• disguise
• mask
• occult
• curtain
• veil
• cloak
• blot out
• overshadow
• belie
• shroud
• paper over
• screen
• blanket
• enshroud
• bury
• block
• camouflage
• smother
• obstruct
• cover (up)
• occlude
• shade
• gloss (over)
• overcast
• gild
• darken
• whitewash
• varnish
• eclipse
• cloud
• becloud
• bedim
• befog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reveal
• show
• disclose
• expose
• display
• uncover
• divulge
• bare
• present
• unveil
• unmask
• bring out
• clarify
• illuminate
• uncloak
• get out
• publish
• publicize
• advertise
• spread
• proclaim
• broadcast
• air

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blur
• darken
• dim
• overshadow
• blacken
• cloud
• shroud
• fog
• mist
• conceal
• shadow
• haze
• overcast
• hide
• becloud
• cover
• shade
• blear
• obliterate
• bedim
• mask
• eclipse
• dislimn
• overcloud
• befog
• fuzz (up)
• adumbrate
• blot out
• camouflage
• cloak
• disguise
• veil
• curtain
• screen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illuminate
• light (up)
• brighten
• reveal
• lighten
• expose
• uncover
• illumine
• unveil

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obscure

Adjective

There is a competition storyline or a human-interest angle or an obscure display of physicality for everyone. —Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

Malcolm’s subjects are very old-school, doctrinaire, rigid Freudian psychoanalysts who get involved in impossibly obscure academic debates. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

And that messaging is being used to obscure the fact that the majority of the people being grabbed have no record of violent conduct at all. —Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026

Her face is obscured in the version produced. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026