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
This obscurity is weighing on her heart.
—
David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The thin line between excellence and obscurity became unmistakable.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025
Why let the essay fall into obscurity—an obscurity deep enough that none of Didion’s recent biographers even mention it?
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
What to know about Matt Van Epps Matt Van Epps, 42, has quickly risen from relative obscurity to become a central figure in Tennessee politics.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The thin line between excellence and obscurity became unmistakable.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025
Why let the essay fall into obscurity—an obscurity deep enough that none of Didion’s recent biographers even mention it?
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
What to know about Matt Van Epps Matt Van Epps, 42, has quickly risen from relative obscurity to become a central figure in Tennessee politics.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
As usual, Coon thrives in ambiguity, layering a seemingly straightforward woman with depth.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Participants also took a personality assessment called the High Potential Trait Indicator (HTPI), which measures six traits including competitiveness and tolerance of ambiguity.—
Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tarr told his sweeping film in chapters, and the prolonged runtime was crucial to the story’s power, showing an entire world devolving into hopelessness and oblivion, practically in real time.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But automobiles with manual transmission appear to be on a road to oblivion as technology transforms cars into computers on wheels.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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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None were authorized to speak publicly, and all requested anonymity out of concern for retaliation.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
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Quds Force, was initiated at the end of 2024 and was active through the first half of this year, said the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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