Ambiguity vs. Obscurity — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Ambiguity and Obscurity
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Compare with Definitions
Ambiguity
Ambiguity is a type of meaning in which a phrase, statement or resolution is not explicitly defined, making several interpretations plausible. A common aspect of ambiguity is uncertainty.
Obscurity
Deficiency or absence of light; darkness.
Ambiguity
Doubtfulness or uncertainty as regards interpretation
"leading a life of alleged moral ambiguity" (Anatole Broyard).
Obscurity
The quality or condition of being unknown
"Even utter obscurity need not be an obstacle to [political] success" (New Republic).
Ambiguity
Something of doubtful meaning
A poem full of ambiguities.
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Obscurity
One that is unknown.
Ambiguity
(countable) words or statements that are open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, especially if that meaning cannot be determined from its context.
His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position.
Obscurity
The quality or condition of being imperfectly known or difficult to understand
"writings meant to be understood ... by all, composed without deliberate obscurity or hidden motives" (National Review).
Ambiguity
(uncountable) The state of being ambiguous.
Obscurity
An instance of being imperfectly known or difficult to understand.
Ambiguity
The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression.
No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued.
The words are of single signification, without any ambiguity.
Obscurity
(literary) Darkness; the absence of light.
Ambiguity
An expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
Obscurity
The state of being unknown; a thing that is unknown.
Ambiguity
Unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning
Obscurity
The quality of being difficult to understand; a thing that is difficult to understand.
Obscurity
The quality or state of being obscure.
You are not for obscurity designed.
They were now brought forth from obscurity, to be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair.
Obscurity
The quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
Obscurity
An obscure and unimportant standing; not well known;
He worked in obscurity for many years
Obscurity
The state of being indistinct or indefinite for lack of adequate illumination
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