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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obscure
David Oliver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The obscure, wonky agency is arguably the least known and even less understood by most consumers, but it was thrust into the spotlight last November when Democrats flipped two seats on what had been an all-Republican panel.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Once again, the camera feed from the courtroom was blurred to obscure the witnesses' identities, and neither woman was referred to by name.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Adjective
Human ears couldn't possibly distinguish the names of obscure songs in one bar's music round.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The obscure, wonky agency is arguably the least known and even less understood by most consumers, but it was thrust into the spotlight last November when Democrats flipped two seats on what had been an all-Republican panel.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The whiskey is full of fruit and spice notes that do not obscure the bourbon’s vanilla, nut, maple, and oak notes.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Once again, the camera feed from the courtroom was blurred to obscure the witnesses' identities, and neither woman was referred to by name.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
Adjective
-
And that ambiguous statement raised alarms not just with workers but also with human rights groups such as Amnesty International, which issued a World Cup travel advisory for visitors planning on attending the tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The official public warnings for the next Soyuz rocket launch from Plesetsk were even more ambiguous, covering various periods between April 1 and 15.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
The two became engaged in an argument that turned into a fight, during which the unknown person pulled out a sharp object and stabbed the victim about the body before leaving the scene, police said.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps clever legal strategies might find ways to meet the justices’ new standards, or perhaps experts might come up with new metrics to mathematically prove discrimination, even when intent is vague.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
There’s a false perception in pop music that the best way to connect with the masses is to keep things broad — that vague generalizations are easier for people to latch onto.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens’ email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Police found the device concealed in the vehicle’s wheel well before the investigation was turned over to the department’s Detective Bureau, Podgorski said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fox Nation President Lauren Petterson said in the press release that Season 1 showed just how easily lines can be blurred between fiction and reality.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
In some commercial newsrooms, advertisers can use their influence to try to dictate news content or attempt to blur the lines between journalism and advertisements, although there are strict rules about this in some countries.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Eurich later posted a cryptic video to @dumbrblnd on April 21 that followers seemed to think was in reference to Murray.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the weeks before Andrew Lloyd Webber announced the New York staging of his The Phantom of the Opera reboot Masquerade last year, cryptic messages and clues began popping up, not least being the appearance of the masked singer outside the Tony Awards ceremony.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Details about the underlying allegation remain murky, but the department sources familiar with the matter said the LAPD’s secretive Special Operations Division tailed officers who were under investigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
He’s offered a murky definition of a ceasefire.—
Ben Finley,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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