obscurity
noun
ob·scu·ri·ty
äb-ˈskyu̇r-ə-tē 
əb-
plural obscurities
1
: one that is obscure
… peppered with quotes from … heavy hitters, as well as some downright obscurities.—
Penelope Green
Penelope Green2
: the quality or state of being obscure
novels that have faded into obscurity
Synonyms
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
Throughout the last ten years, a wide range of words and phrases have emerged from obscurity into common usage in science.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024
What’s easy to explain in hindsight—that Microsoft would be at the forefront of AI, that Google would become a behemoth, that Blockbuster would fade into obscurity—is never preordained.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 June 2024
His career cut short by World War I, his songs faded into obscurity until 2014, when his sheet music started to surface.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 June 2024
This one dates back to Swift’s high-school days and was destined for obscurity until fans fell in love with the live version.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for obscurity 
The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024
What’s easy to explain in hindsight—that Microsoft would be at the forefront of AI, that Google would become a behemoth, that Blockbuster would fade into obscurity—is never preordained.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 June 2024
His career cut short by World War I, his songs faded into obscurity until 2014, when his sheet music started to surface.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 June 2024
This one dates back to Swift’s high-school days and was destined for obscurity until fans fell in love with the live version.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for obscurity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obscurity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near obscurity
Cite this Entry
“Obscurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obscurity. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obscurity
noun
ob·scu·ri·ty
äb-ˈskyu̇r-ət-ē
əb-
plural obscurities
1
: something that is obscure
2
: the quality or state of being obscure
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