Synonyms of obscurity

obscurity

noun

äb-ˈskyu̇r-ə-tē 

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

• ambiguity
• ambiguousness
• mysteriousness
• mystery
• uncertainty
• darkness
• murkiness
• opaqueness
• nebulousness
• inscrutability
• opacity
• obliqueness
• complexity
• nebulosity
• obliquity
• equivocation
• dimness
• vagueness
• indistinctness
• depth
• equivocalness
• haziness
• impenetrability
• incomprehensibility
• inscrutableness
• indefiniteness
• mistiness
• cloudiness
• faintness
• fuzziness
• fogginess
• profoundness
• difficulty
• shadow
• obtuseness
• indirectness
• abstruseness
• circuity
• complication
• deepness
• shade
• reconditeness
• incomprehensibleness
• circuitousness
• abstrusity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clarity
• clearness
• brightness
• obviousness
• plainness
• certainty
• intelligibility
• legibility
• comprehensibility
• distinctness
• surety
• lucidity
• exactness
• visibility
• incision
• perspicuity
• definiteness
• openness
• incisiveness
• directness
• explicitness
• straightforwardness
• forthrightness
• readability
• tangibility
• self-evidence
• obviousness
• lucidness
• perspicuousness
• palpability
• tangibleness
• readableness

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

• oblivion
• silence
• anonymity
• nowhere
• namelessness
• facelessness
• nowheresville
• invisibility
• insignificance
• inconspicuousness
• unpopularity
• invisibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fame
• notoriety
• name
• renown
• reputation
• celebrity
• popularity
• importance
• report
• character
• significance
• repute
• prominence
• favor
• mark
• glory
• greatness
• note
• eminence
• rep
• position
• distinction
• honor
• preeminence
• prestige
• stature
• recognition
• standing
• rank
• praise
• acclaim
• cachet
• acknowledgment
• superstardom
• illustriousness
• adoration
• megastardom
• kudos
• idolization

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

• mysteriousness
• ambiguity
• impenetrability
• uncanniness
• darkness
• inscrutability
• profundity
• vagueness
• murkiness
• numinousness
• unintelligibility
• incomprehensibility
• inscrutableness
• deepness
• inexplicability
• equivocality
• shadowiness
• unknowability
• esotericism
• abstruseness
• equivocalness
• unintelligibleness
• unanswerability
• hermetism
• inexplicableness
• abstrusity
• reconditeness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intelligibility
• understandability
• transparency
• clarity
• obviousness
• plainness
• straightforwardness
• self-evidence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obscurity

Of course, sometimes dinosaur fossils are rescued from obscurity through purchase and immediate deposition or donation to natural history museums. — Kristi Curry Rogers, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Nokia had risen from obscurity in the 1990s to become a worldwide cultural phenomenon by the turn of the millennium, its signature devices featured in TV shows and movies, announcing their presence with instantly recognizable Nokia ringtones. — IEEE Spectrum, 13 July 2026

For some, including Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, a starring role in front of a global audience has catapulted them from relative obscurity to worldwide fame, attracting millions of new followers on social media. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026

There is no longer much question as to whether Platner is suitable for public office, and even less question as to whether plucking him from political obscurity made any sense. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026