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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
But what these murky recommendations largely obscure is the data, which overwhelmingly supports the use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, as evidenced by a massive analysis set to be presented this weekend at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Sep. 2025
Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
His reflective blue shades were perched atop a baseball cap, obscuring much of his face.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Adjective
This obscure rule bars federal funding for mental institutions with more than 16 beds, which critics say is a major barrier to expanding capacity.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
But what these murky recommendations largely obscure is the data, which overwhelmingly supports the use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, as evidenced by a massive analysis set to be presented this weekend at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Other times, a temporary paper license plate has been used to obscure known plates.
—Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
His reflective blue shades were perched atop a baseball cap, obscuring much of his face.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
Adjective
-
Maybe the purposefully ambiguous coda was concocted to prove some sort of Rashomon-style truth-is-subjective point.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
-
While the unfinished project remains ambiguous, the viewer catches glimpses of what the plot might have been about, where Jiang's character has grown from a wandering youth to a wealthy entrepreneur.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But those conditions are vague, and largely left to interpretation, Chris Mirasola, a professor of law at The University of Houston Law Center, tells TIME.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Fans reportedly emptied out of the stadium before halftime, and after the final whistle, the 73-year-old former NFL coach was left making vague promises that his team would somehow turn the corner.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The creamy, ultra-pigmented formula contains caffeine and hyaluronic acid to depuff the under eyes, conceal dark under eye circles, and blur fine lines and wrinkles.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Some incarcerated men even accused officers of sending people to the SHU to conceal their own abuses.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a moment where artists like Lil Yachty and Central Cee blur the line between streetwear and high fashion, Vans steps confidently into that same conversation, proving skate culture has always influenced the runway.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The technology’s potential is already altering military planning, blurring lines between intelligence, cyber operations, and traditional anti-submarine warfare.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The cryptic video came after one of the ugliest stretches yet in Cardi and Minaj’s decade-long feud.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
This cryptic species, first described in 2001, was among several mammals recorded by trail cameras set up by researchers.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Combs' case was particularly challenging, wading into the murky intersections of consent and coercion, celebrity, complex workplace dynamics and the myriad ways that people cope with trauma.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The lack of government data leaves investors, economists and policymakers with a murkier view of the economy at a crucial moment when concerns are mounting about a weaker labor market and stickier inflation.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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