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
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Recent Examples of obscurity
Monica Barbaro The year’s other big discovery, who catapulted from obscurity to arguably the people’s favorite in Supporting Actress.
—
Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
Sure, some hitters come out of relative fantasy obscurity and become fantasy stars, but not nearly as often as pitchers.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Despite the company’s relative obscurity, independent evaluations suggest that its products already rival those of industry leaders like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The president’s deep skepticism prompted him to pass over the more obvious choices to replace General Brown and to pluck General Caine from relative obscurity.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
Sure, some hitters come out of relative fantasy obscurity and become fantasy stars, but not nearly as often as pitchers.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Despite the company’s relative obscurity, independent evaluations suggest that its products already rival those of industry leaders like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The president’s deep skepticism prompted him to pass over the more obvious choices to replace General Brown and to pluck General Caine from relative obscurity.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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There’s no ambiguity, no pretense, just a lunch pail and a hard hat.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
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Organizations can train their systems to tolerate more ambiguity, metabolize more change, and rebound more quickly.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But for Trump’s election victory and unprecedented threats to make Canada the 51st state, Carney would probably still be a private citizen and the Liberals would be heading for oblivion.—
Stephen Collinson,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
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Kennedy is not the only independent whom Democrats tried to sue and shame into oblivion.—
Rob Richie,
Twin Cities,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Khalil, a green card holder married to a U.S. citizen, strongly rejects that characterization and said this week that he was being detained to silence free speech.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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While Swift’s social media silence and retreat from her famous friend group has only fueled the rumor mill, those in the know suggest this is all about self-preservation, not just relationship drama.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The league’s media and executive committees have recommended that owners approve the deal in a vote in the coming days, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details are private.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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But some Republican lawmakers have grown particularly uneasy about projections that suggest growth will be lower in the second quarter of this year because of tariffs, according to three people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations with members of Congress.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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