obscurity

noun

äb-ˈskyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce obscurity (audio)
Definition of obscuritynext
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

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 Centenaire by Monte Carlo Automotive (MCA), though, is a benchmark in both rarity and obscurity. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026 Asco’s work remained in relative obscurity — living in local mythology through storytellers like Ignacio — for decades. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Smart city programs in Beijing, Shanghai, and other urban centers use AI to track performance and centralize oversight of local officials who once operated in comfortable obscurity, subjecting them to an algorithmic performance review. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 That is exactly why they should not be allowed to operate under this veil of obscurity; secret courts should never be a reality in our country. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
  1. ambiguity
  2. oblivion
  3. mysteriousness
  4. silence
  5. anonymity
Noun
  • As is the case with all of OTC’s previous music, part of the charm is its swirling ambiguity, but this time there’s additional poignance in the backstory.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Nothing was stable, every framework was being rebuilt in real time and the only thing that separated functional teams from struggling ones was behavioral reliability under extreme ambiguity.
    — Amy Alexy, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambiguity
Noun
  • Today’s problem is hyperscalers spending themselves into oblivion, spreading inflation well beyond Silicon Valley and obscuring problems nearly everywhere else.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • How to talk about an episode that takes us to the brink of oblivion — Cal, what the hell, man?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of oblivion
Noun
  • That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.
    — Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of mysteriousness
Noun
  • De Palma’s sequence followed that moment with an eerie silence, the only sound that of the clanking empty bucket, before all hell breaks loose.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There are years of desire, wilting in silence, or the frenzied rhythm of regret.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of silence
Noun
  • The attackers were identified as Firas and Hamouda al-Ja’aba, two men from Hebron affiliated with Hamas, an Israeli security official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of a sensitive investigation.
    — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Doing so might be impossible, given the anonymity of ballots.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of anonymity

Browse Nearby Words

obscuring
obscurity
obsequies
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Cite this Entry

“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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