1
[ adjective ] not clearly understood or expressed

Synonyms

vague indeterminate

Examples

"an indeterminate turn of phrase" "an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit"-Anatole Broyard "their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear"- P.A.Sorokin

Used in print

(Frank Oppenheimer, "Science and Fear-- A Discussion...)

And yet we obviously also believe that the avoidance of the disaster depends in some obscure or at_least uncertain way on the details of how we behave .

(Douglas Ashford, "Elections in Morocco: Progress...)

First is the long and still somewhat obscure process of preparation , planning and discussion .

(Marvin Schiller, "The Sheep's in the Meadow,"...)

For many nights afterward , the idea of her having been so close to me in_that imagined bed would return and fill me with obscure and painful desires , would cause me to lie_awake in shame , tossing with irresolution , longing to fall into a deep sleep .

Related terms

unclear

2
[ verb ] make less visible or unclear

Examples

"The stars are obscured by the clouds"

Used in print

(The Atlanta Constitution...)

In the fevered , intoxicating , breathless state of being in_love the usual signposts that guide you to lasting and satisfying relationships are sometimes obscured .

(Eugene Burdick, "The Invisible Aborigine"...)

In the 360 degrees of horizon it obscured only a degree , no_more .

(Rhode Island Legislative Council. Research Report...)

While the origin of state-owned automobiles may be obscured , subsequent developments concerning the assignment , use , and management of state automobiles can be_related more clearly .

Related terms

hide overshadow daze

3
[ verb ] make unclear, indistinct, or blurred

Examples

"Her remarks confused the debate" "Their words obnubilate their intentions"

Used in print

(Kenneth Underwood and Elden Jacobsen, "Probing the...)

But such a reaction obscures the powerful efforts made in_the_past by both NAREB and its local boards for the maintenance of restrictive clauses and practices .

4
[ verb ] make obscure or unclear

Synonyms

overcloud bedim

Examples

"The distinction was obscured"

Used in print

(E. Gellhorn, "Prolegomena to a theory of the emotions"...)

Important as these differences are , they should not obscure the basic fact that by shifting the hypothalamic balance sufficiently to the parasympathetic side , we produce depressions , whereas a shift in the opposite direction causes excitatory effects and , eventually , maniclike changes .

5
[ adjective ] marked by difficulty of style or expression

Synonyms

dark

Examples

"much that was dark is now quite clear to me" "those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure"

Used in print

(Philip Jos‚ Farmer, The Lovers....)

Naturally , he couched the provision in obscure language .

(Leo Lemon, "Catch Up With" and "Something to...)

The effect , needless to say , is almost terrifying , and though at_times a_bit obscure , the film is certainly a much needed catharsis for the `` repressed '' movie-goer .

Related terms

incomprehensible

6
[ adjective ] not drawing attention

Synonyms

unnoticeable

Examples

"an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet" "an obscure flaw"

Related terms

inconspicuous

7
[ adjective ] not famous or acclaimed

Synonyms

unsung unknown

Examples

"an obscure family" "unsung heroes of the war"

Related terms

inglorious

8
[ adjective ] remote and separate physically or socially

Synonyms

apart isolated

Examples

"existed over the centuries as a world apart" "preserved because they inhabited a place apart"- W.H.Hudson "tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization" "an obscure village"

Related terms

unconnected

9
[ verb ] make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing

Examples

"a hidden message" "a veiled threat"

Related terms

change concealment

10
[ adjective ] difficult to find

Synonyms

hidden

Examples

"hidden valleys" "a hidden cave" "an obscure retreat"

Related terms

concealed

11
[ verb ] make difficult to perceive by sight

Synonyms

bedim benight

Examples

"The foliage of the huge tree obscures the view of the lake"

Related terms

darken

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