obscurantism

[ uh b-skyoo r-uh n-tiz-uh m, ob-skyoo-ran-tiz-uh m ]

/ əbˈskyʊər ənˌtɪz əm, ˌɒb skyʊˈræn tɪz əm /

opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.

deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.

Nearby words

1825–35; < French obscurantisme; see obscurant, -ism

Related formsob·scu·rant·ist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

As they were only talking to themselves, obscurantism increased on a par with poverty and its ills.
Israel’s Religious Zionist Vs. Ultra-Orthodox Rift|Rabbi Daniel Landes|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Look where you will, immeasurable Obscurantism is girdling this fair France; which, again, will not be girdled by it.
The French Revolution|Thomas Carlyle
It is in itself an argument which has no necessary connexion with obscurantism.
Outspoken Essays|William Ralph Inge
The obscurantism placed upon sexual matters has caused more physical and mental distress than most of our organic diseases.
The Necessity of Atheism|Dr. D.M. Brooks

For simply differing from the obscurantism of his age, and having opinions of his own.
In the Heart of Vosges|Matilda Betham-Edwards
Most significant of all, Vambéry found even the secluded women of the harems, "those bulwarks of obscurantism," notably changed.
The New World of Islam|Lothrop Stoddard

"opposition to enlightenment," 1834, from German obscurantismus (18c.); see obscurant + -ism.