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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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
For American soccer fans who watched Wrexham’s rise from fifth-tier obscurity to global brand, the parallels are hard to ignore.
—
Ryan Brennan
march 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Early was one of Boston’s biggest minor league success stories last season, rising from relative obscurity to earn a late-season call-up while helping pitch the club into the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Once again, shared appreciation of obscurity is the great unifier.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
Since then, Elizabeth has been as important to Copeland’s professional life as his personal life, co-founding a children’s theater school with him, arranging his music, and supporting him as he was launched from obscurity.
—Matthew Blackwell, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Ryan Brennan
march 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Early was one of Boston’s biggest minor league success stories last season, rising from relative obscurity to earn a late-season call-up while helping pitch the club into the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Once again, shared appreciation of obscurity is the great unifier.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
Since then, Elizabeth has been as important to Copeland’s professional life as his personal life, co-founding a children’s theater school with him, arranging his music, and supporting him as he was launched from obscurity.
—Matthew Blackwell, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
There’s no ambiguity about who Vyleesi is for.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
-
And even if the teller was present at the event recorded, there’s room for ambiguity, argument.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To some kind of informational oblivion?—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The game was considered a bubble elimination contest, meaning the loser had their already fading hopes of an at-large NCAA berth slip into oblivion with no more chances to play.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
From historic wins, like the first woman to win for cinematography and seventh-ever Oscar tie, to awkward silences to moving tributes and very, very long bits from host Conan O’Brien, the March 15 ceremony was emotional and eventful.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The joke was followed by 13 seconds of applause from the audience and silence from O’Brien, who walked around on the stage.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The officials requested anonymity to outline the details of the orders before their signing, saying that other federal regulations would add even more for participants.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Grenell, who lives in California, was rarely present at the center, and a current staffer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told me this week that Grenell’s departure was widely expected by employees.—
Jonathan L. Fischer,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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