obscurity

noun

ob·​scu·​ri·​ty äb-ˈskyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce obscurity (audio)
əb-
plural obscurities
Synonyms of obscurity
1
: one that is obscure
… peppered with quotes from … heavy hitters, as well as some downright obscurities.—Penelope Green
2
: the quality or state of being obscure
novels that have faded into obscurity

Synonyms of obscurity

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Examples of obscurity in a Sentence

In recent years, the tradition has emerged from obscurity. He has been living in relative obscurity in a small town in the mountains. After a promising first novel, she faded into obscurity.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her hypnotic, unconventional works propelled her from near-obscurity to a place in the world’s most prominent museums. — Juno Carmel, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 The film will likely depict the Ploughman’s rise from obscurity to notorious outlaw, though most retellings of his story have been set centuries before the Peasants’ Revolt. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 The Wiener Werkstätte’s undue obscurity may have something to do with not only those epistolary expressions of skepticism by the founding fathers of the Frankfurt School, but also Hoffmann’s latter-day Nazism, which in this show goes unmentioned. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Dumped in theaters by Tianjin Yamazaki Film on August 5, the film had zero promotion beyond a single poster design, and initially seemed set to fade quietly into obscurity. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obscurity

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obscurite, borrowed from Anglo-French oscurté, obscurité, borrowed from Latin obscūritāt-, obscūritās, from obscūrus "dim, dark, imperfectly known, concealed from knowledge, incomprehensible" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obscure entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obscurity was in the 14th century

Rhymes for obscurity

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Browse Nearby Words

obscuringly
obscurity
obscurum per obscurius
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Cite this Entry

“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscurity. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

obscurity

noun
ob·​scu·​ri·​ty äb-ˈskyu̇r-ət-ē How to pronounce obscurity (audio)
əb-
plural obscurities
1
: something that is obscure
2
: the quality or state of being obscure
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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