obscure 1 of 2

adjective

äb-ˈskyu̇r How to pronounce obscure (audio)
Definition of obscurenext
1
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning a fantasy writer who likes to put lots of obscure references and images in her tales of wizards and warlocks

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2
as in unknown
not widely known he's an obscure artist now, but he's sure to be famous someday

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3
as in darkened
being without light or without much light hid in an obscure spot among the trees

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4
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly a distinction so obscure that only the experts can really see it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

obscure

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view the investigative reporters obscured their real motives for visiting the company by pretending the story was about something else

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2
as in to blur
to make dark, dim, or indistinct when it isn't obscured by smog, the view of the city from the observatory can be spectacular

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obscure different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obscure are ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When can ambiguous be used instead of obscure?

The meanings of ambiguous and obscure largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

In what contexts can cryptic take the place of obscure?

While the synonyms cryptic and obscure are close in meaning, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When is dark a more appropriate choice than obscure?

The words dark and obscure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

When might enigmatic be a better fit than obscure?

The words enigmatic and obscure can be used in similar contexts, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When could equivocal be used to replace obscure?

While in some cases nearly identical to obscure, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Where would vague be a reasonable alternative to obscure?

In some situations, the words vague and obscure are roughly equivalent. However, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

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 obscure
Adjective
Trump had the water released from the dams after complaining, baselessly, that Los Angeles had not been sent enough water for wildfire prevention or firefighting efforts because California’s Democratic leadership wanted water kept in the northern part of the state to help an obscure fish species. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025 Though she was entrenched in the lives of celebrated artists of interwar Paris, Reynolds remains something of an obscure figure. — Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
However, the canine’s body had already shown signs of partial mummification, meaning the severe state could have obscured changes in organs. — Angel Saunders, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 The partial mummification of the animal could have obscured changes in organs, but there was no evidence of poisoning, infectious disease or trauma that could have led to death. — Janelle Ash, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
  1. ambiguous
  2. unknown
  3. vague
  4. conceal
  5. blur
  6. cryptic
  7. murky
  8. faint
Adjective
  • An unlikely ally to Tanner and Luca as tensions rise, but loyalties remain ambiguous.
    — Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • That would be Mark Rylance as Henry’s lord privy seal, Thomas Cromwell, an endlessly fascinating and ambiguous figure—brilliant, scheming, moral—whom Rylance animates with gravity and kaleidoscopic skill.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025
  • At the conclusion of The Residence finale, Cupp is set to depart Washington D.C. — though her destination is unknown.
    — Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of unknown
Adjective
  • When breaches do occur, the notifications are often vague or slow to arrive, leaving users unaware of the risks they have been exposed to—and unsure of how to respond effectively.
    — Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • But the definition of what constitutes a country for football purposes is slightly vague: the FIFA statutes state that ‘any association which is responsible for organising and supervising football in all of its forms in its country may become a member association’.
    — Nick Miller, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of vague
Verb
  • The film doesn’t conceal the role that informal migrant labor plays in European agriculture and the toll that its informality takes on the migrants.
    — Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Once concealed structural beams have been exposed, allowing the geometry of the honeycombed ceilings and the pillars to speak honestly, inviting visitors to better understand the integrity of Pereira’s original design.
    — Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • On the other hand, holding a company liable for one person’s speech blurs the line between individual and collective responsibility.
    — Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Though rooted in self-love, these trends can blur the line between care and consumerism.
    — Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of blur
Adjective
  • The Bachelor alum took to social media on Wednesday, March 19, with a cryptic message seemingly responding to her ex-boyfriend Brendan Morais’ hard launch with his new girlfriend Serene Russell.
    — Liza Esquibias, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The episode ends with a cryptic phone call to Luca from a family member, hinting at their ties to the resort.
    — Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of cryptic
Adjective
  • From the murky swamp to the kingdom of Duloc, Shrek has captured hearts with its wit, adventures and hilarious dialogue.
    — Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The charm offensive contrasted with DOGE's murky blitz through the federal government in the last two months, which has resulted in mass layoffs and entire agencies being effectively shuttered.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • My duties typically involved being sent to the nearby New York Public Library to hunt down some faint memory scratching at Carter’s brain.
    — Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination.
    — Joel Shannon, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of faint

Browse Nearby Words

obscurant
obscure
obscured
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Cite this Entry

“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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