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
The investigation, published in September, highlighted how 7-OH rose from obscurity to overtake the quasi-legal drug trade in American gas stations, grocery stores and smoke shops, triggering a wave of lawsuits and drawing federal scrutiny over its health risks.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
In the 2008 interview, Buchholz expressed pride in his legacy, helping to bring a band from obscurity to international stages.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
That obscurity might be about to change.
—Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Moore never let Minnesota fade into obscurity.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
In the 2008 interview, Buchholz expressed pride in his legacy, helping to bring a band from obscurity to international stages.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
That obscurity might be about to change.
—Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Moore never let Minnesota fade into obscurity.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
The brain is also far more adept at handling things like ambiguity, subtlety, and nuance.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
What qualifies is highly subjective, but that ambiguity has overwhelmingly benefited federal officers, according to the two legal scholars.—
Max Taves,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Conservatives, staring at electoral oblivion, hastily followed suit, pledging to repeal the Climate Change Act.—
Bjorn Lomborg,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
My love, there is no oblivion, no dream.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Playing 40 minutes of perhaps unfamiliar material before getting to the hits sounds challenging and, to be sure, some of the more lubricated audience members sat in stunned silence.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
There was a second of stunned silence before the room erupted in boos and jeers.—
JJ Holmes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The source of the photos, who requested anonymity, slammed Nanos for attending the game while the search continues.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Just two years ago, Darnold was an afterthought among NFL quarterbacks, living in relative anonymity as Brock Purdy's backup with the San Francisco 49ers.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
