1
as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the 16th-century astrologer's predictions are so filled with obscurity that people can interpret them any way they want
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in oblivion
the quality or state of being mostly or completely unknown
the singer languished in relative obscurity for years before becoming famous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mysteriousness
the quality or state of being impossible to know, understand, or explain
her novels were favored by gullible critics who confuse obscurity with profundity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obscurity
Every so often, a special teams player emerges from obscurity.
—
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
You got plucked from obscurity to do this project.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
When Tweedy’s lyrics lapse into obscurity, the healing power of group vocal harmonies is always there to carry him through.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.
—Time, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
You got plucked from obscurity to do this project.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
When Tweedy’s lyrics lapse into obscurity, the healing power of group vocal harmonies is always there to carry him through.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
These women, many of whom worked in relative obscurity for all their lives, labored to redefine the rights and dignity of all people.
—Time, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
In a better world, novels of this level of sophistication, beauty, erudition, ambiguity, and play would come along more frequently and dominate the literary discourse.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Any unexplained death leaves room for competing narratives, but Scott’s death involved a particularly vexing set of ambiguities.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In other words, Steve is a lot to play, and the Oscar-winner throws himself into every forlorn expression, every kindly mentoring session, every manic bit of rushing to and fro as chaos reigns around him, every stumbling step toward self-medicating into oblivion.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But regardless of how things play out, the media business appears to be entering an era in which network affiliates are not sitting back and waiting for the sector to disappear into oblivion.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But no matter the intent — the intent can be right, but when things get misconstrued, or however the media wants to portray it, that leaves a void of silence and a lot of questions for the guys on our team.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
But no matter the intent, intent can be right, but when things get misconstrued or however the media wants to portray it, that leaves a void of silence and a lot of questions for the guys on our team.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In 2017, the angels (who requested anonymity) attracted other donors, which enabled the school to finally return employees to normal salaries, cover tuition for needy students, acquire improvements, such as technology for students and teachers, and offer new courses, including art and music.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Mackenzie Chung Fegan abandoned anonymity on day one, and the New York Times’ dual critics Tejal Rao and Ligaya Mishan went as far as starring in several videos to announce their tenure at the paper.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share