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
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.
There is a degree of obscurantism in all this, as Mr. Kracht’s bizarre book willfully stymies understanding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
And under either of those scenarios, how much did Chinese-government pressure and obscurantism constrain the availability of evidence for assessing one or the other?
From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that Mr Rushdie "embodied freedom and the fight against obscurantism" and was the victim "of a cowardly attack by the forces of hatred and barbarism".
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2022
“This committee, characterized for its secrecy and obscurantism, cannot be considered the appropriate venue to investigate the alleged violence of human rights,” said Esteban Beltrán, Amnesty’s director in Spain.
From Washington Times ● May 5, 2022
There is no salvation in that sickly obscurantism which attempts to evade realities by confusing itself about them.
From The Necessity of Atheism by Brooks, David Marshall
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.
