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'
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.
