Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for obscure.
Definitions

obscure

[uhb-skyoor] / əbˈskyʊər /
ADJECTIVE
not easily understood
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous arcane complicated confusing cryptic enigmatic esoteric mysterious vague
STRONG
concealed dim hidden involved occult
WEAK
abstruse clear as mud dark deep doubtful enigmatical far-out hazy illegible illogical impenetrable incomprehensible inconceivable incredible indecisive indefinite indeterminate indistinct inexplicable inscrutable insoluble intricate opaque recondite unaccountable unbelievable unclear undefined unfathomable unintelligible
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear common definite known obvious plain straightforward
STRONG
bare exposed open
WEAK
apparent understood
ADJECTIVE
cloudy, shadowy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
murky
STRONG
blurred clouded dim dusk faint obfuscated veiled
WEAK
caliginous dark dense dusky fuliginous gloomy indistinct lightless shady somber tenebrous umbrageous unilluminated unlit
Antonyms
STRONG
clear distinct
WEAK
apparent bright explicit obvious perceptible visible
ADJECTIVE
out-of-the-way, little-known
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arcane cryptic distant enigmatic esoteric humble inaccessible irrelevant minor mysterious odd rare remote secluded secretive undisclosed undistinguished unknown
STRONG
blind close covered hidden removed retired sequestered
WEAK
abstruse cabalistic dark deep devious far far-off inconspicuous inglorious invisible lonesome lowly nameless oracular orphic recondite reticent secret seldom seen solitary unheard-of unhonored unimportant unnoted unseen unsung
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear common familiar known near nearby obvious public unmysterious
STRONG
exposed revealed
WEAK
apparent distinguished famous understood
VERB
conceal, hide
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belie blind block out blur camouflage cloud confuse cover cover up darken dim disguise eclipse mask misrepresent muddy overshadow shroud veil
STRONG
adumbrate becloud bedim befog blear block cloak con equivocate falsify fog gray haze mist murk obfuscate overcast overcloud pettifog screen shade shadow stonewall wrap
WEAK
cloud the issue double-talk fuzz gloom muddy the waters throw up smoke screen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
brighten clarify clear clear up explain lay out lighten reveal uncover unmask
STRONG
open
WEAK
illuminate loose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The author is remarkably good at finding an obscure statistic or fact that causes the reader to sit back and ponder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

“This is a relatively obscure thing, not many people pay attention to this data,” Kizemchuk said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

The obscure law bans a person from soliciting or receiving nonpublic information from a public servant by means of their office or employment with the intent to obtain a benefit.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2026

Millions of documents related to the various investigations of Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice, but some of the unredacted material failed to obscure the identity of his victims.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

All the extra hours studying, the extra time in the simulation rooms, the extra books and essays I’d read on every obscure historical event known to man didn’t matter.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.