obscure

modif.

1. Vague

   indistinct, vague, ambiguous, indeterminate, indefinite, enigmatic, cryptic, equivocal, unintelligible, impenetrable, inscrutable, unfathomable, unclear, insoluble, involved, uncertain, indecisive, undefined, intricate, illegible, incomprehensible, hazy, dark, dim, abstruse, unaccountable, inexplicable, inconceivable, complicated, illogical, imprecise, unreasoned, mixed up, doubtful, questionable, dubious, inexact, unreasoned, loose, ill-defined, unidentified, invisible, undisclosed, perplexing, escaping notice, mystical, veiled, secret, concealed, mysterious, recondite, esoteric, puzzling, confusing, confused, difficult, complex, lacking clarity, unreadable, contradictory, wanting precision, in need of clarifying, out of focus, in need of translation, murky, clear as mud*, too much for*, over one's head*, deep*, far out*; see also complex 2, confused 2, confusing, difficult 2, uncertain 2, vague 2.

   Antonyms clear*, definite*, distinct. *

2. Dark

   cloudy, dense, hazy; see dark 1.

3. Little known

   unknown, rare, hidden, covered, remote, removed, retired, reticent, secretive, seldom seen, unseen, inconspicuous, humble, invisible, abstruse, mysterious, deep, cryptic, oracular, enigmatic, esoteric, arcane, undisclosed, cabalistic, inexpressible, unapprehended, dark; see also distant 1, irrelevant, profound 2, secret 1.

obscure applies to that which is perceived with difficulty either because it is concealed or veiled or because of obtuseness in the perceiver their reasons remain obscure; vague implies such a lack of precision or exactness as to be indistinct or unclear a vague foreboding; enigmatic and cryptic are used of that which baffles or perplexes, the latter word implying deliberate intention to puzzle an enigmatic smile, a cryptic warning; ambiguous applies to that which puzzles because it allows of more than one interpretation an ambiguous title; equivocal is used of something ambiguous that is deliberately used to mislead or confuse an equivocal answer

obscure

v.

1. To dim

   shadow, cloud, screen; see shade 2.

2. To conceal

   cover, veil, wrap; see disguise, hide 1.