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
Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Like too many others of his time, Smith’s sheer greatness tends to be obscured, his legacy overlooked.
—Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
That starts with its CEO Barbara Petersen, who spent decades tracking bills that obscured the public right to public information, as head of the First Amendment Foundation.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Giulia Rodighiero, the study’s lead author and an astronomer at the University of Padua in Italy, had wondered whether other large objects, perhaps obscured by their own dust, might be dwelling among JWST’s blue monsters.
—Jenna Ahart, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
When viewed from near the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery, the edges of the Lincoln Memorial would be obscured, but a larger section of the monument would be visible through the arch’s opening.
—New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
One of the most severe accusations lobbed by the group was that Tao and former Chief Business Officer Janea Marking knowingly obscured information about the impending financial crisis from the district board of trustees before approving a new contract with the Sacramento City Teachers Association.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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 report, issued on April 30, contains 14 recommendations, some of which were obscured from public view for security reasons.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Like too many others of his time, Smith’s sheer greatness tends to be obscured, his legacy overlooked.
—Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
That starts with its CEO Barbara Petersen, who spent decades tracking bills that obscured the public right to public information, as head of the First Amendment Foundation.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Giulia Rodighiero, the study’s lead author and an astronomer at the University of Padua in Italy, had wondered whether other large objects, perhaps obscured by their own dust, might be dwelling among JWST’s blue monsters.
—Jenna Ahart, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
When viewed from near the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery, the edges of the Lincoln Memorial would be obscured, but a larger section of the monument would be visible through the arch’s opening.
—New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
One of the most severe accusations lobbed by the group was that Tao and former Chief Business Officer Janea Marking knowingly obscured information about the impending financial crisis from the district board of trustees before approving a new contract with the Sacramento City Teachers Association.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
The suit further alleges that Cameron and his team concealed the truth about the inspiration behind the character’s image for years.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
-
The officers were responding to a Secret Service agent's report that Marx was seen near with White House complex with a firearm concealed on the right side of his body, the affidavit says.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
No Doubt defined an era with their individualistic fashion and blurred musical lines between ska and pop.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Tears blurred his vision and reddened his face.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Details about the underlying allegation remain murky, but the department sources familiar with the matter said the LAPD’s secretive Special Operations Division tailed officers who were under investigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
He’s offered a murky definition of a ceasefire.—
Ben Finley,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
After Walz’s failed run for vice president on the 2024 ballot, the past two years of his second term have been clouded by fraud scandals that opponents have linked to lack of oversight by the Walz administration.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
-
But the outlook is clouded by the Iran war.—
Michelle Chapman,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms In darker hues with lots of hardwood and colorful fabrics, the rooms here don’t fall into your standard contemporary look.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Forty-four of the 89 counties along Route 66 were sundown towns, communities where it was encouraged for Black people to leave before dark — or else.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
As of last month, 62 percent of the vehicle covered in the recall had already received the update.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
9 May 2026
-
Storefronts once crammed with shoppers, now covered by tarps.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
With Misiorowski also allowing just two hits – a pair of singles from José Caballero – the right-hander overshadowed Jones’ big league debut.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
It was mishap masked and overshadowed by the Timberwolves looking more like some washed up hoopers struggling at the local Lifetime Fitness rather than a group trying to reach the Western Conference Finals for the third straight season.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscured.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscured. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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