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
Content demonstrating clear expertise and authority • Fast-loading pages without intrusive pop-ups or restricted access
Websites meeting these criteria are far more likely to capture AI's attention, while those that don't risk fading into obscurity.
—
Guy Leon Sheetrit, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
In the face of international law enforcement pressure, dozens of prosecutions, and worldwide disrepute, the network of young sadists, misanthropes, child predators, and extortionists known as Com and 764 has not shrunk away into obscurity.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2025
Instead, the accomplishment faded into obscurity, unrecorded in our collective national memory.
—Cassidy Randall, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Guy Leon Sheetrit, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
In the face of international law enforcement pressure, dozens of prosecutions, and worldwide disrepute, the network of young sadists, misanthropes, child predators, and extortionists known as Com and 764 has not shrunk away into obscurity.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2025
Instead, the accomplishment faded into obscurity, unrecorded in our collective national memory.
—Cassidy Randall, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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While its consumer protection goals are laudable, its imprecise drafting introduces ambiguity that employers and background screening providers must now navigate.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The ambiguity, the exaltation and sarcastic self-parody, the gloom alternating with a yearning for simplicity and even for redemption—all of that reflected the split consciousness of Jews who could never belong and turned revenge upon themselves.—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The national championship follows those back-to-back titles but — unlike those — was dragged out of oblivion.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Such a narrow escape from oblivion would have shocked his fellow-Romans.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This silence, in turn, helps contribute to a lack of significant action — both individually and socially, the researchers argue.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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No person or public official should be targeted because of their faith, and no community should wonder whether such acts will be met with silence.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Now, the Trump administration intends to apply the penalties retroactively for up to five years—a move that could lead to fines exceeding $1 million, according to Reuters, which spoke to a senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential plans.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Those staff members have been furloughed until later in the year, the state of their future contracts unclear, according to a NOAA staffer speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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