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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obscurity
What separates the campaigns that make the best-of lists from those that fade into obscurity?
—
Gary Drenik, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Unlike Woodstock, which took place a few hours up the road that same summer and has been endlessly memorialized since, the Harlem Cultural Festival faded into obscurity.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
The brand seemed to fade to obscurity more recently, but '90s nostalgia has brought the passion back.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Arizona State’s powerhouse tailback has toiled superbly all season while remaining in relative obscurity.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obscurity 
Gary Drenik, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Unlike Woodstock, which took place a few hours up the road that same summer and has been endlessly memorialized since, the Harlem Cultural Festival faded into obscurity.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
The brand seemed to fade to obscurity more recently, but '90s nostalgia has brought the passion back.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Arizona State’s powerhouse tailback has toiled superbly all season while remaining in relative obscurity.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obscurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscurity
Noun
-
The pleasure mostly derives from picking out the remaining ambiguities, especially related to the film’s flash-forward coda; the finale has already inspired a lot of heated social-media debate over its intention.David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Where American Primeval has at least allowed a sliver of ambiguity when portraying whether or not Young was complicit in the massacre’s cover-up until now, there’s none of that here.Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In 30 minutes, they were shot into oblivion by Jackson’s ragtag army.Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
-
The loss dropped the Rams’ record to 0-2 en route to a 1-4 start that had coach Sean McVay’s team on the brink of potential playoff oblivion.Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
An eerie soundscape coats one’s ears throughout, rarely allowing for an instant of complete silence.Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Then, his remains were taken to the state capital in Atlanta, where he was honored in a moment of silence at the Capitol before a service at the Carter Center.John Bacon, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Multiple sources told Mediate on the condition of anonymity there are concerns that the influencer could be using Jr. for clout, which Anderson’s reps deny.Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
-
But in Kingham, a small town with fewer than 1,000 people, Bake Off found a hidden gem that has retained its seclusion and anonymity.Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near obscurity
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscurity. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share