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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obscurity
Their choice to select a new angel from obscurity and chronicle her rise to fame may be another way to provide a fresh coat of paint to a production that runs the risk of still feeling, to some, like a relic of the pre-body positivity movement.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
For every artist who becomes enduringly famous, there are hundreds more who fall into obscurity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Or would they be expected to lie low and fade into obscurity like their parents?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
But the paper quickly vanished in obscurity.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
For every artist who becomes enduringly famous, there are hundreds more who fall into obscurity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Or would they be expected to lie low and fade into obscurity like their parents?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
But the paper quickly vanished in obscurity.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
Instead of guiding every step, users can now assign broader tasks and rely on the model to navigate ambiguity and complete workflows.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That ambiguity underscores a longstanding industry debate over how to classify achievements that blur the line between acting, voice work and technical artistry.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And then the Hornets bricked their way to oblivion, with more turnovers (seven) than field goals (five).—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Even when things are going well, an astronaut in flight is remarkably close to oblivion.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Wrestlers had always operated under a code of silence, known as kayfabe, that forbade acknowledging that the entire thing was scripted.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The others include a teenage star of video games; a young woman awaiting a heart transplant; a priest with a vow of silence; a guard with a grudge against the bank; a fake receptionist; and Ernest’s fiancé, Juliette.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss preparations with the media.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
