obscurantism

[ uhb-skyoor-uhn-tiz-uhm, ob-skyoo-ran-tiz-uhm ]

noun

1. opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.
2. deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.

Other Words From

• ob·scurant·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obscurantism¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from German Obscurantismus, or French obscurantisme; obscurant, -ism

Example Sentences

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

President Emmanuel Macron of France hailed him as the embodiment of “freedom and the fight against obscurantism” against “the forces of hatred and barbarism.”

From New York Times

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

“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

“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, the director of the rights group in Spain.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• concealment
• hiding
• obscuration
• withholding