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
These insights, though valuable, would languish in obscurity for more than 100 years.
—
Richard Jensen, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2025
Comments The 1960 romantic drama The World of Suzie Wong plucked its young star, Nancy Kwan, from total obscurity, transforming her into a glamorous star in high demand virtually overnight.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025
American craft brewers helped rescue from obscurity the saison, a bubbly, crisp, gently spiced beer.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
Al-Sheikh has risen from obscurity to quasi-royal prominence.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Richard Jensen, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2025
Comments The 1960 romantic drama The World of Suzie Wong plucked its young star, Nancy Kwan, from total obscurity, transforming her into a glamorous star in high demand virtually overnight.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025
American craft brewers helped rescue from obscurity the saison, a bubbly, crisp, gently spiced beer.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
Al-Sheikh has risen from obscurity to quasi-royal prominence.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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Jurisdictional role ambiguity adds another layer of complexity.—
Khurram Akhtar,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Critics say ambiguities in the law are part of the problem George Wyeth, a visiting scholar at the Environmental Law Institute, says the law is still concerning.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The sterile flies proceeded to, well, screw the continent’s wild populations into oblivion, and in 2006, an invisible barrier was established at the Darién Gap, the jungle that straddles the Panama-Colombia border, to cordon the screwworm-free north off from the south.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2025
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Even one of these incidents could have been enough to break a player and send him off into oblivion.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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And then there’s the quiet stuff—travel, visuals, conversations, even silence.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Lincoln County Schools spokesperson Shanti Clancy said the moment of silence gives board members and attendees the opportunity for a personal prayer or reflection and is respectful of diverse beliefs.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Also of note: The Beavers don’t have much NIL money compared to other top-10 programs, according to multiple sources inside and outside the program who spoke on the condition of anonymity.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Defense officials traveling with Hegseth, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media, called the absence of a higher-level Chinese delegation an opportunity for the U.S. to make inroads.—
David Rising,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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