obscurant
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //əbˈskjʊərənt//
KK: /əbˈskjʊərənt/
adjective
Definition
Describing something that opposes knowledge or understanding, often making things unclear or difficult to comprehend.
Example
The obscurant policies of the government hindered progress in education.
Conversation
Have you ever noticed how some people can be really obscurant in discussions?
Yeah, it can be frustrating when they refuse to share useful information.
I think it's because they're afraid of being challenged or exposed.
Exactly! It just makes everything so much harder to understand.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
opaque
enigmatic
ambiguous
Antonyms
clear
transparent
evident
noun
Definition
A person who resists or hinders the spread of knowledge and understanding, often favoring ignorance or traditional beliefs over progress.
Example
The obscurant in the debate argued against the new educational reforms.
Conversation
Did you hear about that new policy being proposed?
Yeah, it sounds like some people are acting as obscurants against it.
It's frustrating when people resist progress like that.
Root Explanation
Obscurant → It is formed from "obscurus" (meaning dark or obscure) and the suffix "-ant" (indicating an agent or something that performs an action). The word "obscurant" refers to a person or thing that obscures or keeps something hidden or unclear.
Memory Tip
Think of something that makes things 'dark' or 'unclear' — 'obscurus' means dark, and '-ant' indicates a person or thing that does this.
Visually Confused Words
osculant