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

The Centenaire by Monte Carlo Automotive (MCA), though, is a benchmark in both rarity and obscurity. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026

Asco’s work remained in relative obscurity — living in local mythology through storytellers like Ignacio — for decades. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Smart city programs in Beijing, Shanghai, and other urban centers use AI to track performance and centralize oversight of local officials who once operated in comfortable obscurity, subjecting them to an algorithmic performance review. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

That is exactly why they should not be allowed to operate under this veil of obscurity; secret courts should never be a reality in our country. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026