obscurantism
Americannoun
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opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.
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deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of obscurantism
First recorded in 1825–35; from German Obscurantismus, or French obscurantisme; see origin at obscurant, -ism
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.
‘And how come? Why has this miracle of ignorance endured? Because of one thing. A conspiracy. A vast and insidious conspiracy. Obscurantism.’
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
Look where you will, immeasurable Obscurantism is girdling this fair France; which, again, will not be girdled by it.
From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas
Obscurantism is revelling in proclaiming prohibited areas of investigation.
From Mountain Meditations and some subjects of the day and the war by Lind-af-Hageby, L. (Lizzy)
Obscurantism is better than the light of incendiary torches.
From Under Western Eyes by Conrad, Joseph
But it was quite clear to her that these views would not be welcome to the old prizefighter, and she was fain to be content with the slight protest against Obscurantism just recorded.
From When Ghost Meets Ghost by De Morgan, William Frend
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
