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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscurity
Rock stars and their equivalents in other genres often develop their craft in obscurity before being discovered; idols are apprentices, trained exhaustively by their management companies.
—
Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
In his later life, Marriott distanced himself from the mainstream music industry and turned away from major record labels, remaining in relative obscurity.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
One of the most painstaking architectural renewals in recent Los Angeles memory has finally pulled a world-class jewel of modern architecture from obscurity.
—Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Still, most global billionaires and their families prefer to operate in relative obscurity, collecting luxury automobiles, private jets and coveted art rather than direct political influence.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
In his later life, Marriott distanced himself from the mainstream music industry and turned away from major record labels, remaining in relative obscurity.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
One of the most painstaking architectural renewals in recent Los Angeles memory has finally pulled a world-class jewel of modern architecture from obscurity.
—Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Still, most global billionaires and their families prefer to operate in relative obscurity, collecting luxury automobiles, private jets and coveted art rather than direct political influence.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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Therefore, for the show to truly succeed in leaving the audience in a state of ambiguity about the relationship, both leads must be megawatt talents.—
Julia Edelstein,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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The ambiguity around the word’s origins stems at least partly from a centuries-long moral panic over it, says Michael Adams, an English professor at Indiana University Bloomington who has written about swearing.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Until the economies of scale kicked in that would shove mechanical movements into near oblivion within a decade, quartz watches were priced well at the luxury end of the market.—
David Szondy
March 28,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
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Celebrate the endless oblivion of eternal night with an evening that recreates the city’s ethereal relationship with vampires in all their forms on this most hallowed of dates.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Talking about Diana only reminded her of the radio silence.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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But as the game began to wind down, there was only that familiar, eerie silence that settles over a football stadium as the UConn men, who have become a sort of grim reaper at these Final Fours, ran out the clock.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The visit by Rutte was confirmed by a White House official who was not authorized to comment on the yet to be formally announced visit and spoke on the condition of anonymity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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