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
Moore never let Minnesota fade into obscurity.
—
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The album’s 20 songs are the resigned and rueful sound of him making amends with his obscurity, and his larger place in the universe.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
Mike Tomlin was an unknown when the Pittsburgh Steelers plucked him from obscurity in 2007 and handed the young and charismatic Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator one of the most stable jobs in sports.
—Will Graves, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2026
This has empowered the external opposition, growing out of Iran’s large diaspora and pulling figures such as Pahlavi out of relative obscurity.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The album’s 20 songs are the resigned and rueful sound of him making amends with his obscurity, and his larger place in the universe.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
Mike Tomlin was an unknown when the Pittsburgh Steelers plucked him from obscurity in 2007 and handed the young and charismatic Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator one of the most stable jobs in sports.
—Will Graves, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2026
This has empowered the external opposition, growing out of Iran’s large diaspora and pulling figures such as Pahlavi out of relative obscurity.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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But probabilities are less sexy than proclamations, ambiguities less attractive than assurances—or so the rising number of storm-hyping accounts on social media seem to suggest.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Detectives eventually identify one man as a likely suspect, though he is ultimately not charged, resulting in ambiguity that continues to this day.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even the guest features are reverbed to oblivion.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Not shocking or appalling, or overly complicated or computer-generated into oblivion.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
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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The occasional person on a walk or shopper at one of the barely dozen stores still open, but the sound inside the mall is mostly just silence.—
Tori Apodaca,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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From her perspective, seeking support is not a lack of discipline, but a rational and courageous response to a complex condition that thrives in silence.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Speaking with British Vogue in January 2026, Buckley said her husband has to maintain anonymity due to his work.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Sources were granted anonymity to speak freely about the situation.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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