indistinctness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indistinctness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of clarity or distinctness in something, such as an image, sound, or idea. Example: "The indistinctness of the photograph made it difficult to identify the subjects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But, as that vice turned — for his modernist apostles — into a virtue, the script changed, and Turner was apocryphally made over into the defiant independent who had wanted the American to know that "indistinctness is my forte".

The New Yorker

Taken to task by an American buyer for the indistinctness of the very beautiful 1832 painting "Staffa, Fingal's Cave" — Hebridean cliffs veiled by streaming rain and sea spray — Turner, through an intermediary, begged the American's pardon, for "indistinctness is my fault".

The New Yorker

Like the obsidian mirrors made by the Aztecs for purposes of divination, these rows of graphs and numbers contain nebulous images of the future – visions that by their very indistinctness can give comfort to believers in human improvement.

The Guardian - Books

Turner may have complained that "Atmosphere is my style, indistinctness my fault" but, for example, the nebulous late canvases that so mystified and sometimes outraged his contemporaries, were not just experimental washes of sky, water and land but paintings that were not yet paintings and which often became the basis for fully formed works.

The Guardian - Arts

The action is, in short, thin yet heavy, burdened with a pointless complexity that serves, above all, to mask — with music and quick cuts — the insignificance, impersonality, and indistinctness of each of its elements.

The New Yorker

In Inness's late paintings this idea is illustrated by an increasing indistinctness and enveloping ethereality in the portrayal of landscapes and even figures.

The New York Times

The Lisbon sisters and the boys who love them fade into indistinctness -- all except Lux.

The New York Times

Its indistinctness has prevailed despite serious attention from scholars, most notably Nicolai Cikovsky Jr., the author of two books on the artist and the curator of a 60-work Inness retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1985.

The New York Times - Arts

This univocal concept is therefore a mistake, or an error, because nothing positive is really common to God and creatures, but only something negative, as the 'right' intellect subsequently acknowledges, when, going beyond the apparent initial indistinctness, it conceives in a distinct, separate way negatively indeterminate being and privatively indeterminate being.

SEP

Wolff next defines clarity and distinctness and indistinctness in cognition.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, clarify what contributes to the "indistinctness". For example, instead of saying "the policy's indistinctness", specify "the policy's indistinctness stems from vague wording and lack of specific guidelines."

Common error

Avoid using "indistinctness" in overly complex sentences where simpler terms like "vagueness" or "lack of clarity" would improve readability. Clarity should always be prioritized.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indistinctness" is as a noun. It refers to the quality or state of being indistinct. As evidenced by Ludwig, the term is used to describe a lack of clarity or definition in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indistinctness" functions as a noun denoting a lack of clarity or definition. As Ludwig's examples show, it is primarily used in news and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, "indistinctness" is relatively uncommon, and synonyms like ""vagueness"" or ""lack of clarity"" might be preferable in some cases to ensure optimal readability. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is usable in written English and serves to describe something not clearly defined or distinguishable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of clarity

This alternative focuses on the absence of clear definition, which is a direct aspect of indistinctness.

indefiniteness

This emphasizes the lack of specific limits or boundaries.

lack of definition

This directly addresses the absence of clear boundaries or outlines, a key aspect of indistinctness.

blurriness

This term specifically relates to visual indistinctness, highlighting the lack of sharp focus.

fuzziness

Similar to blurriness, but can also apply to non-visual contexts, denoting a lack of sharpness.

vagueness

This term shifts the focus to a lack of precision or detail, which is related to indistinctness in ideas or concepts.

hazy quality

This evokes a sense of obscured clarity, similar to indistinctness.

ambiguity

This alternative highlights the potential for multiple interpretations, often stemming from indistinctness.

obscurity

This term indicates something is not easily understood or seen clearly, akin to indistinctness.

imprecision

This refers to a lack of exactness, which can result in something being indistinct.

FAQs

How can I use "indistinctness" in a sentence?

You can use "indistinctness" to describe a lack of clarity or definition. For example: "The "indistinctness of the image" made it difficult to identify the subject."

What are some synonyms for "indistinctness"?

Synonyms for "indistinctness" include "vagueness", "blurriness", "fuzziness", and "lack of clarity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "indistinctness" a formal word?

"Indistinctness" is a relatively formal word. In some contexts, simpler terms like ""vagueness"" or ""lack of clarity"" might be preferable for better readability.

What is the difference between "indistinctness" and "ambiguity"?

"Indistinctness" refers to a lack of clear definition, while "ambiguity" refers to the possibility of multiple interpretations. Something can be indistinct without being ambiguous, and vice versa.