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
Their choice to select a new angel from obscurity and chronicle her rise to fame may be another way to provide a fresh coat of paint to a production that runs the risk of still feeling, to some, like a relic of the pre-body positivity movement.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
For every artist who becomes enduringly famous, there are hundreds more who fall into obscurity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Or would they be expected to lie low and fade into obscurity like their parents?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
But the paper quickly vanished in obscurity.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
For every artist who becomes enduringly famous, there are hundreds more who fall into obscurity.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Or would they be expected to lie low and fade into obscurity like their parents?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
But the paper quickly vanished in obscurity.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
That ambiguity has encouraged some investors and companies to believe that the era of geopolitics dominating cross-border economic activity may be receding.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The letter also argued that the policy’s ambiguity violated the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to due process before being deprived of liberty or property by the government.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All these devices had escaped the maw of oblivion.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
She has been bimbofied into oblivion.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That intrigue and mysteriousness still rest in the canyon walls today.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By the time Josh Doan scored to put the Sabres up 2-0, Bruins fans were stunned into silence while Sabres fans were celebrating all around them.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Several days after his defeat, five-term prime minister Viktor Orbán broke his silence.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Seeking offense, New York plans to designate Tommy Pham for assignment and has agreed to a major league contract with Austin Slater, a pair of people familiar with the move said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decisions were not announced.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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