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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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscurity
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
Rock stars and their equivalents in other genres often develop their craft in obscurity before being discovered; idols are apprentices, trained exhaustively by their management companies.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
In his later life, Marriott distanced himself from the mainstream music industry and turned away from major record labels, remaining in relative obscurity.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
But the paper quickly vanished in obscurity.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Rock stars and their equivalents in other genres often develop their craft in obscurity before being discovered; idols are apprentices, trained exhaustively by their management companies.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
In his later life, Marriott distanced himself from the mainstream music industry and turned away from major record labels, remaining in relative obscurity.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
While these songs might appear to be somewhat straightforward EBM that wear their politics on their latex sleeve, there’s a level of ambiguity at work that moves Kissing Luck Goodbye past its own bromides and into deeper artistic territory.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But that ambiguity only sharpens the point.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 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 22 Apr. 2026.
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