as in darkened
being without light or without much light
an obscured area of the prison yard that was the perfect escape route
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in concealed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blurred
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscured
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
The interior worlds of these women remain obscured and their motivations go unexplored.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
In an ordinary car with an ordinary dash, all of that would live behind the cluster and relatively obscured from view, or ignored.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
If your writing is dense, disorganized, or overloaded with technical jargon, the value of the underlying work can become obscured.
—Angelique Parashis, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
The findings suggest that the heavily obscured galactic nuclei of galaxies like IRAS 07251–0248 could act as a production line for organic molecules, thus chemically enhancing their home systems.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Allen was driving on Eight Mile Road in Detroit when she was stopped for traffic violations that included a window tint and an obscured license plate, her lawsuit said.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Haze obscured views across San Francisco Bay Wednesday morning as the air quality deteriorated amid a spell of calm winds and clear skies.
—Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
In a photo released to the public, the white truck had a (sadly obscured) California license plate, an equipment rack mounted in the bed, as well as a black Fox Racing tailgate cover.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Doha Madani, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
For some, the implications of duplicity and obscured identity in the line could well apply to its author—and thereby hangs a tale.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Stolen vehicles were taken to a Washington parking garage where suspects swapped their license plates and obscured vehicle identification numbers and disabled security features, Pirro's office said.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Oak Cliff neighborhood known as Fordham Road is centered by the old Deer Path shopping center, but age and decline obscured the hopes and heft of small-shop operators.
—Steve Pickett, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
But clouds obscured the view over Mirny.
—Ryan French, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Footage from Spaceballs 2 aired at the festival, and though much of the clips saw Dark Helmet's face obscured by his mask, fans got a glimpse of the actor in brief scene towards the end.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
In the background, a spoked wheel leaned against the building on one side, and a man stared at the ground, his face nearly obscured by a cowboy hat.
—Jack Armstrong, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Investigators later said some records appeared to have been altered with White Out or obscured, allowing the spending to go unnoticed for months.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
But the specifics, the why behind each decision, the next move waiting around the corner – those remain deliberately obscured.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
The interior worlds of these women remain obscured and their motivations go unexplored.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
In an ordinary car with an ordinary dash, all of that would live behind the cluster and relatively obscured from view, or ignored.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 18 Feb. 2026
If your writing is dense, disorganized, or overloaded with technical jargon, the value of the underlying work can become obscured.
—Angelique Parashis, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
The findings suggest that the heavily obscured galactic nuclei of galaxies like IRAS 07251–0248 could act as a production line for organic molecules, thus chemically enhancing their home systems.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Allen was driving on Eight Mile Road in Detroit when she was stopped for traffic violations that included a window tint and an obscured license plate, her lawsuit said.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Haze obscured views across San Francisco Bay Wednesday morning as the air quality deteriorated amid a spell of calm winds and clear skies.
—Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
In a photo released to the public, the white truck had a (sadly obscured) California license plate, an equipment rack mounted in the bed, as well as a black Fox Racing tailgate cover.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
The lead truck attempted to contact the tower 40 seconds after the plane was given clearance to ask to cross the runway, but a simultaneous transmission obscured the call.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
For some, the implications of duplicity and obscured identity in the line could well apply to its author—and thereby hangs a tale.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Stolen vehicles were taken to a Washington parking garage where suspects swapped their license plates and obscured vehicle identification numbers and disabled security features, Pirro's office said.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Oak Cliff neighborhood known as Fordham Road is centered by the old Deer Path shopping center, but age and decline obscured the hopes and heft of small-shop operators.
—Steve Pickett, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
But clouds obscured the view over Mirny.
—Ryan French, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Footage from Spaceballs 2 aired at the festival, and though much of the clips saw Dark Helmet's face obscured by his mask, fans got a glimpse of the actor in brief scene towards the end.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
In the background, a spoked wheel leaned against the building on one side, and a man stared at the ground, his face nearly obscured by a cowboy hat.
—Jack Armstrong, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Investigators later said some records appeared to have been altered with White Out or obscured, allowing the spending to go unnoticed for months.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscured
Adjective
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In June 2025, Ukraine’s security services launched a massive drone attack against Russian air assets using drones concealed in trucks, reportedly damaging more than 40 planes.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
As a result, the plaintiffs alleged that Capital One deceptively marketed the 360 Savings account and concealed interest rate disparities.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Instagram, Hudson’s makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, volumized her lashes with a few swipes of a smudge-free mascara, blurred her pores using a mattifying powder, defined her pout with a long-lasting lip liner, and more.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Calloway became internet-famous for her Instagram captions, elaborate personal storytelling, and a series of public controversies that blurred the boundary between confession and performance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The prospects for Washington-Tehran peace talks remained murky, amplifying questions over oil and gas supplies worldwide.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Sheinbaum said the federal government is still investigating a potential violation of national security laws in the still-murky incident.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The conflict has further clouded the outlook for private investments, which could make the adjustment tricker.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
No one is the hero, even Mary, who is arguably the least suspicious, ends up being the one who has a drug problem that definitely could have clouded her judgment.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Set dark green pieces aside separately.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Thanks to its high altitude and exceptionally dark skies, this location offers stunning views of the Milky Way and countless stars.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its façade was covered with white tiles that gleamed in the morning light.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
These offsets have allowed Congress to pass larger highway bills even though the HTF has covered a smaller part of the Surface Transportation Program annually.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Broadcasts and social media erupted in debate over several topics, while controversy overshadowed the event for some this year.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Our fraught national debate over immunization and public health has overshadowed some extremely encouraging advances being made by researchers in the decades-long battle against cancer.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscured.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscured. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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