What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obscurement
Example
The writer's use of complex language led to the obscurement of the main idea. [obscurement: noun]
Example
The government's obscurement of information raised suspicions among the public. [obscurement: gerund or present participle]
ambiguity
Example
The politician's statement was full of ambiguity, leaving many unsure of his true intentions. [ambiguity: noun]
Example
The instructions were written with intentional ambiguity, causing confusion among the readers. [ambiguity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ambiguity is more commonly used than obscurement in everyday language. Ambiguity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while obscurement is less common and more formal, typically used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obscurement and ambiguity?
Obscurement is more formal than ambiguity, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
