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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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
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
Sure, some hitters come out of relative fantasy obscurity and become fantasy stars, but not nearly as often as pitchers.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Despite the company’s relative obscurity, independent evaluations suggest that its products already rival those of industry leaders like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The president’s deep skepticism prompted him to pass over the more obvious choices to replace General Brown and to pluck General Caine from relative obscurity.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obscurity
Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
Sure, some hitters come out of relative fantasy obscurity and become fantasy stars, but not nearly as often as pitchers.
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Despite the company’s relative obscurity, independent evaluations suggest that its products already rival those of industry leaders like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
The president’s deep skepticism prompted him to pass over the more obvious choices to replace General Brown and to pluck General Caine from relative obscurity.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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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Investors hope that once the tariffs are implemented, some of the ambiguity surrounding U.S. trade policy could ease.—
Brian Evans,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Leaders today calendar themselves into oblivion, squeezing out meaningful human interaction.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Unlike the new black-and-white image, Trump’s first portrait was in color, featuring the First Lady—face airbrushed into oblivion—wide-eyed, smiling with a hint of teeth, her arms crossed to display a massive diamond wedding ring.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Mother-and-teen enjoyed their lavish night out just two days before Ben Affleck broke his silence on his and Lopez’s divorce, which was finalized in January.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2025
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Liam Lawson has broken his silence after his sudden demotion from Red Bull to its junior Formula One team, Racing Bulls, following the Chinese Grand Prix.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sources who also endured the trauma of that night have spoken to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity to protect their relationships and future jobs.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
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 16 Apr. 2025.
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