SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
obscure
adjective
Not well known or difficult to see, understand, or explain.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Difficult to understand
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topRecondite and arcane often concern specialized knowledge; vague concerns a lack of clear detail.
Little known or hard to find
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topUnsung implies insufficient recognition for merit; an obscure item may simply be little known.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See obscure in use
The editor asked for an explanation of the obscure reference in the opening paragraph.
The draft exhibition notes mentioned an obscure designer whose work few classmates recognized.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license