fade into obscurity

USAGE SUMMARY

"fade into obscurity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has become less visible or less important over time. For example: "Many great inventors have faded into obscurity over the years, their ideas forgotten and their work unappreciated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Either that or fade into obscurity!

Independent

The lesser ones fade into obscurity.

The New York Times

Advances such as these caused Coley's approach to fade into obscurity.

The New Yorker

Without big-name presenters those ceremonies will quickly fade into obscurity.

The New York Times

While Arbuckle's career was derailed by scandal, plenty of others were left to fade into obscurity.

Independent

The videogame industry's unwillingness to let a franchise fade into obscurity is a dual edged blade.

Independent

If you need him to fade into obscurity, he has a tendency to do that, too".

The New York Times - Sports

These were not the remarks of a man planning to fade into obscurity.

Independent

Both they and their victims fade into obscurity and the gun violence continues.

The New Yorker

When he was done as a player, McEnroe refused to fade into obscurity.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Kirby, a retired Australian judge, nonetheless urged that his report not be allowed to fade into obscurity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fade into obscurity" to describe a gradual decline in visibility, importance, or fame, often applying to people, trends, or ideas that were once prominent but are now largely forgotten.

Common error

Avoid using "fade into obscurity" when describing something that vanishes abruptly. The phrase implies a gradual process, not an instantaneous vanishing act.

Linguistic Context

Fade into obscurity functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes a process of gradual decline, loss of visibility, or importance. It often modifies a subject, indicating what happens to them over time, as seen in examples related to careers or historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

3%

Huffington Post

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fade into obscurity" is a well-established and frequently used expression to describe the gradual decline of visibility, importance, or fame. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonymous options like "slip into oblivion" or "vanish from the scene" exist, "fade into obscurity" provides a nuanced description of a gradual process. It's essential to remember that this phrase indicates a slow decline rather than a sudden disappearance. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Independent, employing "fade into obscurity" in your writing demonstrates a strong command of English vocabulary and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become forgotten

Simple and direct, emphasizing the state of being no longer remembered.

slip into oblivion

Implies a more complete and irreversible disappearance from memory or recognition.

enter into oblivion

Similar to "slip into oblivion", stressing a movement or transition into a state of being forgotten.

fall into oblivion

Similar to slipping, but emphasizes a decline or descent into being forgotten.

vanish from the scene

Suggests a sudden or complete departure from public attention or activity.

sink into insignificance

Emphasizes the descent into a state of being unimportant or trivial.

become a distant memory

Focuses on the fading of someone or something from people's recollections.

be consigned to history

Suggests that something is relegated to the past and no longer relevant.

lose relevance

Highlights the declining importance or significance of something over time.

pass into the shadows

Evokes a sense of quiet disappearance, hinting at a deliberate withdrawal from the spotlight.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something or someone will "fade into obscurity"?

It means that something or someone will gradually become less known, less visible, or less important over time, eventually being forgotten.

Are there synonyms for "fade into obscurity" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "slip into oblivion", "fall into oblivion", or "vanish from the scene" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "fade into obscurity" formal or informal?

"Fade into obscurity" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more frequently found in news and media, offering a neutral tone.

How do I use "fade into obscurity" in a sentence?

For example, "Many child stars eventually "fade into obscurity" after their initial fame diminishes".