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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
For a band that has spent so much of its career in relative obscurity, the Blue Nile have had disproportionate brushes with fame.
—
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 1 Feb. 2026
In the years following, Thomas went on to write and produce songs for Zendaya (another child-star alum), Post Malone, Kehlani, Drake, and Jack Harlow, contracting out his ear for sticky melodies and accessible lyricism all while quietly releasing mixtapes under his own name in obscurity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
And as usual at the New Beverly, there are some must-see obscurities programmed alongside the more famous films.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
What started as a restaurant built from equal parts passion and business savvy with a mission to resurrect Italian American food from culinary obscurity is now a global phenomenon.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 1 Feb. 2026
In the years following, Thomas went on to write and produce songs for Zendaya (another child-star alum), Post Malone, Kehlani, Drake, and Jack Harlow, contracting out his ear for sticky melodies and accessible lyricism all while quietly releasing mixtapes under his own name in obscurity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
And as usual at the New Beverly, there are some must-see obscurities programmed alongside the more famous films.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
What started as a restaurant built from equal parts passion and business savvy with a mission to resurrect Italian American food from culinary obscurity is now a global phenomenon.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
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The brain is also far more adept at handling things like ambiguity, subtlety, and nuance.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
What qualifies is highly subjective, but that ambiguity has overwhelmingly benefited federal officers, according to the two legal scholars.—
Max Taves,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Conservatives, staring at electoral oblivion, hastily followed suit, pledging to repeal the Climate Change Act.—
Bjorn Lomborg,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
My love, there is no oblivion, no dream.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Playing 40 minutes of perhaps unfamiliar material before getting to the hits sounds challenging and, to be sure, some of the more lubricated audience members sat in stunned silence.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
There was a second of stunned silence before the room erupted in boos and jeers.—
JJ Holmes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The source of the photos, who requested anonymity, slammed Nanos for attending the game while the search continues.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Just two years ago, Darnold was an afterthought among NFL quarterbacks, living in relative anonymity as Brock Purdy's backup with the San Francisco 49ers.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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