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
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
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That ambiguity has encouraged some investors and companies to believe that the era of geopolitics dominating cross-border economic activity may be receding.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The letter also argued that the policy’s ambiguity violated the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to due process before being deprived of liberty or property by the government.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And every one squandered leaves a mark, takes its toll, ages you just a bit — and takes you one year closer to hockey oblivion.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
These Knicks don’t sit around and watch Jalen Brunson pound the ball into oblivion.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The cone of silence has been in effect since March 2024.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
Rather than implying ignorance, the silence becomes a constraint.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Finally, as a small businessman trying to survive in a profession where a head bob can be the difference between the winner’s circle and anonymity, Romans has learned the value of fierce loyalty tempered by compromise and the lost art of listening.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
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Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential diplomacy, the senior Iranian official said Tehran believed its latest proposal to shelve nuclear talks for a later stage was a significant shift aimed at facilitating an agreement.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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