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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of obscure
Eric Goodman, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
This field historically has been obscure, but recent advances in AI may bring it front and center.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Most weapons that are trafficked aren’t seized or traced back to dealers, and those that are are largely obscured from public view.
—Sean Campbell, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Adjective
The international breakfast buffet included obscure regional specialties, Thai noodle soup, an array of tropical fruit, and organic juices.
—Eric Goodman, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
This field historically has been obscure, but recent advances in AI may bring it front and center.
—Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
Local farmers speaking with the researchers told them of a boulder deep inland atop a cliff, covered by dense vegetation that obscured it from aerial view, and led them to it.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Most weapons that are trafficked aren’t seized or traced back to dealers, and those that are are largely obscured from public view.
—Sean Campbell, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscure
Adjective
-
Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous, or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
The Food and Drug Administration’s April 22 news release contains some ambiguous language.—
Andrea Ruth,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
The status of the fire onboard the ship was unknown as of Wednesday afternoon, but smoke was still billowing from it, according to the Coast Guard.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Over time, however, the label lost credibility—undermined by vague accounting, low-quality offsets, and limited transparency.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
As a result, the surface of the land and sea is an open book that anyone with an internet connection can read to the point where the embarrassing launch failure of a North Korean frigate is instantly world news instead of a vague rumor.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Millions of low-cost devices for media streaming, in-vehicle entertainment, and video projection are infected with malware that turns consumer networks into platforms for distributing malware, concealing nefarious communications, and performing other illicit activities, the FBI has warned.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
-
On December 27, 1908, Boy Staunton (a literal boy, double-underlining Davies’s interest in archetypes) throws a snowball with a stone concealed in it at his friend Duncan.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Airstream In place of common overhead cabinetry, Airstream further blurs the delineation between indoors and out with long, narrow upper windows above the primary window line.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
-
The 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, running through June 15, has centered music-heavy programming with premieres from artists including Billy Joel, Miley Cyrus, Turnstile and Depeche Mode — further blurring the line between musicians’ stagewear and red carpet fashion.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Gad teased work on the project in 2024 with a cryptic Instagram post that blocked out certain sections on the script’s cover page.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
-
This Instagram comment comes amid a series of cryptic social media posts shared by Bieber and growing concerns for him.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Since President Donald Trump took office, at least half of the security council's staff have been laid off or left, and the future of BARDA is murky.—
Amy Maxmen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
-
But whether federal or state politicians could foil a Trump settlement is murky.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Then came a ‘faint voice’ May 30, 2025 12:00 PM Read Next National Man vanished in remote national park 2 weeks ago, CO officials say.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
-
The image also shows faint, ghostly rings around Uranus.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obscure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscure. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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