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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 25 June 2025
Ironheart was ordered at a time when Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige and company were trying to churn out as much content as possible, no matter how obscure the hero.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
Arya Sharma, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
In the Disneyland images, Archie and Lilibet were shot from behind, or their faces, per a common celebrity practice, were obscured with heart graphics.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Adjective
Those efforts have included apprehending foreign students en masse, most of whom are Muslim, citing an obscure provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to justify their detainment.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 25 June 2025
Ironheart was ordered at a time when Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige and company were trying to churn out as much content as possible, no matter how obscure the hero.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
Verb
By obscuring silhouettes, the style allowed for more androgynous expression.
—Arya Sharma, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
In the Disneyland images, Archie and Lilibet were shot from behind, or their faces, per a common celebrity practice, were obscured with heart graphics.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
Adjective
-
These beers had previously been included within larger, more ambiguous lager categories for the Great American Beer Festival competition, but the Brewers Association says the uniqueness and growing popularity of these styles warrants individual guideline recognition.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Tipping for other services may be more ambiguous and recommended as a dollar amount instead, like $10 per hour or $5 per bag carried or shuttle driven.—
Katie Kelton,
Boston Herald,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause remains unknown.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2025
-
The actual cost of the wedding is unknown, but Venice regional governor Luca Zaia originally estimated the cost between 20 million-30 million euros, or $23 million-$34 million, in a June 24 Reuters article.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Brooks said Act 372 was vague and imposed problems on librarians and bookstore owners trying to avoid prosecution.—
Brett Barrouquere,
Arkansas Online,
27 June 2025
-
All of these legal tests, however, are quite vague.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Iconic pin-up Jayne Mansfield has an affair in the midst of her separation from Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay and conceals it from the world, returning to Hargitay, who welcomes the baby as his own and continues to raise when Mansfield tragically dies in a car accident at only 34 years old.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
-
The amber liquid is concealed by a ceramic decanter designed by sculptor Ivan Venkov; a conscious brand choice to pay homage to Mexico’s artisanal traditions.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Part of that brand was to label it a ‘spirit,’ blurring the psychological lines between an alcoholic beverage and a THC one.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
At a sunny oceanfront venue, the line between a vacation-ready, potentially too-casual sundress and appropriate wedding-guest attire blurs.—
Catie Pusateri,
Glamour,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
-
The moment helped confirm a romance that had been rumored for several months following several cryptic Instagram posts.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The questions, though, are a bit different this offseason, as Toronto’s optimal path forward is pretty murky, and any mistakes management makes in the next few weeks will only compound their issues.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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The highlighting reticles for discoverables are thankfully forgiving — ideal for the murky depths that would otherwise hide them.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Use your mobile phone to scan the skies, as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
19 June 2025
-
The headband usually has to be readjusted ahead of the next wear, as the sound can be faint if the headphones are not perfectly positioned over the ears.—
Rebecca Taylor,
Outside Online,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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