obscurant

[ uhb-skyoor-uhnt ]

noun

1. a person who strives to prevent the increase and spread of knowledge.
2. a person who obscures.

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of obscurants.
2. tending to make obscure.

obscurant

/ əbˈskjʊərənt /

noun

1. an opposer of reform and enlightenment

adjective

1. of or relating to an obscurant
2. causing obscurity

Derived Forms

• ˌobscuˈrantism, noun
• ˌobscuˈrantist, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obscurant¹

1790–1800; < Latin obscūrant- (stem of obscūrāns, present participle of obscūrāre ), equivalent to obscūr ( us ) dark + -ant- -ant

Example Sentences

“It’s also unclear if the Saudis are using the WP as an obscurant in a smoke screen, for marking or signaling, or for antipersonnel/anti-materiel effect,” he added.

From Salon

Europe, whole and united, was the way of the future, and you were a nationalist obscurant if you believed otherwise.

From Slate

“This isn’t just smoke or chaff, this is a high tech obscurant, which can be effective against an array of missile homing systems,” said Antonio Siordia, U.S.

From Forbes

In this regard, his art can feel almost Victorian, a sensibility America still doesn’t understand, which may explain arguments that Mr. Johns’s work is obscurant and repressed.

From New York Times

Moore, whose work was accused of being obscurant, tried to make it more topical and accessible, in the process tapping a vein of sentimentality she had long suppressed.

From New York Times