What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
murky
Example
The river was murky after the heavy rain. [murky: adjective]
Example
The details of the contract were still murky, and we needed more clarification. [murky: adjective]
Example
I don't trust him; his past is murky, and he seems to have something to hide. [murky: adjective]
obscure
Example
The book is about an obscure topic that few people know about. [obscure: adjective]
Example
The professor's lecture was too obscure for me to follow. [obscure: adjective]
Example
The artist's identity remained obscure until after his death. [obscure: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obscure is more commonly used than murky in everyday language. Obscure is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while murky is less common and refers to specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between murky and obscure?
Both murky and obscure are relatively formal words, but obscure is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
