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

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
When that’s not enough, Google may add random noise to the data that can further obscure identities. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026 Brimfield is chaotic, yes, but there’s something to be said about an event that brings such obscure enthusiasm from every kind of character—from Brooklynites in search of single-stitch T-shirts to music nerds who specialize in vintage harmonicas. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 June 2026
Verb
Also, there are important players coming back from significant injuries, obscuring the picture. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Crews have been seen unloading equipment from trucks this week — much of it covered or obscured — and barricades have been placed near the perimeter of the arena. — ABC News, 2 July 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
  • As for the ambiguous finale, Hall and Bravo have similar, but slightly different views on it.
    — Reshma Gopaldas, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
  • Much of what couples experience as conflict is, on closer inspection, a disagreement about which interpretation of an ambiguous event is the correct one, and that disagreement is rarely settled by appeals to trust.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • Fighting in Jonglei has intensified in recent days, with an unknown number of casualties.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of unknown
Adjective
  • This trend has been pretty pervasive among designer bags recently, with shoppers buying new Prada and Chanel bags with darkened leather to give them a used look, or sourcing vintage Celine bags with obvious signs of wear.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • The section’s vague language and many loopholes could have a chilling effect on any research that studies the effects of a disease, policy or public health intervention on any specific group of people, Rafla-Yuan said.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Trip reports were vague but full of warnings about steep canyon walls and boat-eating holes.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of vague
Verb
  • Two members of the White supremacist group, whose identities are concealed through masks, sunglasses and baseball caps, are seated in front of her, while numerous others are seated behind or standing alongside her.
    — BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Dugan was accused of obstructing official Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings and knowingly concealing an undocumented man from immigration authorities at a courthouse in April 2025 while serving as a Milwaukee County Circuit judge.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • Reddick loads her genre-blurring tale with outlandish intrigue involving Soviet spies, a capitalist cult and a roving choir that doubles as a Greek chorus.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Telemundo also signed actor Owen Wilson, who isn’t Latino or known for speaking Spanish, as a spokesperson for the Spanish-language coverage of the World Cup, blurring the lines for an American audience that speaks both English and Spanish.
    — Alex Sherman, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of blur
Adjective
  • It was filled with brackets and parentheticals, written in different fonts and colors, much of it in capital letters, at once detailed and cryptic.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
  • His doctors speculated his infection might have been a rare case of cryptic transmission from sharing meals and bathrooms with his coworkers, one of whom apparently had a tapeworm infection.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • With Jagger’s vocals often buried deep in the muddy and murky mix, the album initially sounds like a druggy demo.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Additional flights of the Zhuque-3 and Long March 12A are likely to come soon, although the scheduling is murky because of China’s tendency to stay tight-lipped about the specifics of its future plans.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 July 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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