Dictionary entry details
• OBSCURE (adjective)
Meaning:
Not clearly understood or expressed
Synonyms:
vague; obscure
Context examples:
an obscure turn of phrase / an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit / their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear / vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science
Similar:
unclear (not clear to the mind)
Meaning:
Marked by difficulty of style or expression
Synonyms:
obscure; dark
Context examples:
much that was dark is now quite clear to me / those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure
Similar:
incomprehensible; uncomprehensible (difficult to understand)
Meaning:
Difficult to find
Synonyms:
hidden; obscure
Context examples:
hidden valleys / a hidden cave / an obscure retreat
Similar:
concealed (hidden on any grounds for any motive)
Meaning:
Not famous or acclaimed
Synonyms:
unsung; obscure; unknown
Context examples:
an obscure family / unsung heroes of the war
Similar:
dishonorable; inglorious (not bringing honor and glory)
Meaning:
Not drawing attention
Synonyms:
unnoticeable; obscure
Context examples:
an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet / an obscure flaw
Similar:
inconspicuous; invisible (not prominent or readily noticeable)
Meaning:
Remote and separate physically or socially
Synonyms:
apart; obscure; isolated
Context examples:
existed over the centuries as a world apart / preserved because they inhabited a place apart / tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization / an obscure village
Similar:
unconnected (not joined or linked together)
• OBSCURE (verb)
Meaning:
Make less visible or unclear
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Synonyms:
obscure; obnubilate; haze over; fog; befog; becloud; cloud; mist
Context example:
The stars are obscured by the clouds
Hypernyms (to "obscure" is one way to...):
conceal; hide (prevent from being seen or discovered)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "obscure"):
overshadow (cast a shadow upon)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make unclear, indistinct, or blurred
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
obnubilate; obscure; blur; confuse
Context examples:
Her remarks confused the debate / Their words obnubilate their intentions
Hypernyms (to "obscure" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "obscure"):
muddy (cause to become muddy)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make obscure or unclear
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
bedim; overcloud; obscure
Context example:
The distinction was obscured
Hypernyms (to "obscure" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "obscure"):
mystify (make mysterious)
eclipse (cause an eclipse of; of celestial bodies)
shade; shade off; shadow (cast a shadow over)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
blot out; veil; obliterate; obscure; hide
Context examples:
a hidden message / a veiled threat
Hypernyms (to "obscure" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Make difficult to perceive by sight
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
bedim; benight; obscure
Context example:
The foliage of the huge tree obscures the view of the lake
Hypernyms (to "obscure" is one way to...):
darken (make dark or darker)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
