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
In part because of their obscurity, the slashing has gone relatively overlooked.
—
Eli Hager, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2025
But after about a week, T-Coronae Borealis will fade back to obscurity.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
Despite its near-mythic obscurity, the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) holds a singular and terrifying title: the most venomous snake on Earth.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Thankfully, the film was saved from obscurity by Ketchup Entertainment.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Eli Hager, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2025
But after about a week, T-Coronae Borealis will fade back to obscurity.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
Despite its near-mythic obscurity, the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) holds a singular and terrifying title: the most venomous snake on Earth.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Thankfully, the film was saved from obscurity by Ketchup Entertainment.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
And someone who struggles with change and ambiguity in a card game will probably also have an aversion to something like pluralism in politics because their brain processes that as chaotic.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
12 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, India has informally dialed back its historic no-first-use stance, creating ambiguity about its operational doctrine.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
What once felt like steady ground for many leaders now feels like a slippery slope into oblivion with no glimmer of a return.—
Jamie Griffith,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
-
Then a call from Reagan — yes, Reagan — threatening to sue all of them into oblivion sends Joe racing to Mooney’s.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And as previous studies had suggested, the research groups found that inhibitory neurons, or those that silence and modulate neural signals, were conserved across birds and mammals.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Wired News,
11 May 2025
-
But even when locked in a tense, deadly standoff with the vicious Barbie, Moulin doesn’t break, and his courage and silence helps lead to the liberation of France, while leaving behind a new spirit of strength and resistance.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Speaking to Rolling Stone, the teacher, who requested anonymity, said her partner of seven years fell under the spell of ChatGPT in just four or five weeks, first using it to organize his daily schedule but soon regarding it as a trusted companion.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
4 May 2025
-
Observers involved in Midlands politics, who have all spoken to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak, are confident that the new strategy can be carried out.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share