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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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
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
Skywatchers from between New Zealand and a largely remote part of Antarctica will have a view of the partial solar eclipse at the maximum of 80 percent obscurity, while the Antarctica Peninsula experiences only 12 percent shortly before sunset.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
With a single photo, though, Swift vaulted it from obscurity into obsession.
—Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
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
Skywatchers from between New Zealand and a largely remote part of Antarctica will have a view of the partial solar eclipse at the maximum of 80 percent obscurity, while the Antarctica Peninsula experiences only 12 percent shortly before sunset.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
With a single photo, though, Swift vaulted it from obscurity into obsession.
—Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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The composition has many hallmarks of surrealism, including dream logic – the strange, flowing and often illogical progression of images reflecting the unpredictable nature of dreams – metamorphosis and psychic ambiguity.—
Sally Jane Brown,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The ambiguity of authorship is meant to unsettle the reading of the text.—
Lana Lin
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rashod Bateman slunk back into oblivion (two targets).—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The hotel — as a symbol of a city, a country, a continent even — risks being lost to oblivion.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Just like her music, every note earns its place, and the silence between them is just as intentional.—
Hali Bey Ramdene,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Marcel Marceau became a global sensation with his signature character Bip the Clown, his expressive silence and artistic mastery transforming mime into a respected art form.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The research, conducted without her knowledge, was commissioned by a potential political rival, according to the person who carried out the opposition research, who asked for anonymity because the poll was a private survey.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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India’s other large local carrier, Air India, is also working on a plan to launch flights to Shanghai from New Delhi on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, according to people familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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