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obscurantist

[uhb-skyoo-ran-tist]

obscurantist Definition

a person who opposes or seeks to restrict intellectual inquiry and the spread of knowledge, usually by employing obscure or confusing language, ideas, or arguments.

Using obscurantist: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "obscurantist" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The professor was accused of being an obscurantist because of his use of jargon and convoluted arguments.

  • Example

    The government's censorship policies were seen as obscurantist and anti-democratic.

  • Example

    The obscurantist views of the religious leaders were challenged by the scientific community.

obscurantist Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for obscurantist

Antonyms for obscurantist

Phrases with obscurantist

  • language that is deliberately obscure or difficult to understand, often used to hide the lack of substance in an argument

    Example

    The politician's speech was full of obscurantist language, making it hard for the audience to understand his position on the issue.

  • obscurantist tendencies

    the inclination to oppose or restrict intellectual inquiry and the spread of knowledge, often by using obscure or confusing language, ideas, or arguments

    Example

    The rise of obscurantist tendencies in academia has led to a decline in the quality of research and scholarship.

  • literature that is intentionally difficult to understand, often using obscure or complex language, themes, or symbols

    Example

    The novel was criticized for its obscurantist style, which made it hard for readers to follow the plot and understand the characters.

Origins of obscurantist

from French 'obscurantisme', from Latin 'obscurans', present participle of 'obscurare', meaning 'to darken'

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Summary: obscurantist in Brief

The term 'obscurantist' [uhb-skyoo-ran-tist] refers to a person who opposes or seeks to restrict intellectual inquiry and the spread of knowledge, often by using obscure or confusing language, ideas, or arguments. Examples include the professor who uses jargon and convoluted arguments, the government's censorship policies, and the obscurantist views of religious leaders. The term extends into phrases like 'obscurantist language,' 'obscurantist tendencies,' and 'obscurantist literature,' all denoting the use of obscure or difficult-to-understand language, ideas, or arguments.