profound obscurity

USAGE SUMMARY

"profound obscurity" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is deeply unclear or difficult to understand. Example: "The author's intentions remained in profound obscurity, leaving readers puzzled." Alternative expressions include "deep obscurity" and "great obscurity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Its mechanism, however, was and still is shrouded in profound obscurity.

The New Yorker

For a fleeting moment, national attention is focused on these compact works, often the creations of students, experimenters or industry outsiders, which then pass back into profound obscurity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When he overreached himself, he plummeted not only into ignominy but profound and mystifying obscurity.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Taruskin has a profound distaste for obscurity in all its forms; Schoenberg, in particular, seems to be the object of a personal vendetta.

The Economist

The heart of the story will examine the humiliation of Jude's failure as a social animal, a profound and crippling obscurity ending in death.

The Guardian - Books

Those who would like to seem profound strive for obscurity.

Forbes

The consequence of this shibboleth was that the jargon and the obscurity of theory created a profound disconnect with the working class and non-academics became marginal to revolutionary ideas.

Huffington Post

His health was shot, beset by stroke after stroke; he died in the obscurity of Peckham, surrounded by a loving family and profound forgetfulness.

The Guardian - Books

The rise of the internet, from obscurity to ubiquity in the course of a few decades, has had profound effects on our society and on us as individuals.

The Guardian - Tech

Dear Tom The rise of the internet, from obscurity to ubiquity in the course of a few decades, has had profound effects on our society and on us as individuals.

The Guardian - Tech

Darwin and Einstein came first and were overwhelmed by celebrity and profound respect, and became icons in the culture, while Wallace and Hilbert languished in relative obscurity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound obscurity" when you want to emphasize not just a lack of clarity, but also a sense of depth or mystery surrounding the unclear subject.

Common error

Avoid using "profound obscurity" when a simpler phrase like "unclear" or "vague" would suffice. "Profound obscurity" is most effective when the lack of clarity is significant or mysterious.

Linguistic Context

Profound obscurity functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It describes a state or condition characterized by a significant lack of clarity or understanding, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Profound obscurity is an expression used to describe something that is deeply unclear or difficult to understand. While grammatically correct, Ludwig shows that it is relatively rare in usage, primarily appearing in news and media. When using it, make sure you intend to emphasize not just a lack of clarity, but also a sense of depth or mystery. Alternatives like "deep mystery" or "utter incomprehensibility" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep mystery

Focuses on the mysterious nature rather than the lack of clarity.

total lack of clarity

Directly states the absence of clear understanding.

utter incomprehensibility

Highlights the complete lack of understanding possible.

unresolved ambiguity

Highlights something that has no clear answer.

complete ambiguity

Emphasizes the lack of clear meaning or intention.

abysmal vagueness

Highlights the imprecise and ill-defined nature of something.

impenetrable darkness

Uses a metaphor to describe something that is impossible to understand.

dense opacity

Emphasizes the lack of transparency or understandability.

unfathomable enigma

Focuses on the mysterious and puzzling nature of something.

inscrutable depths

Suggests a hidden or mysterious quality that is difficult to penetrate.

FAQs

How can I use "profound obscurity" in a sentence?

You can use "profound obscurity" to describe concepts, events, or situations that are deeply unclear or mysterious. For example: "The origins of the universe remain shrouded in "profound obscurity"".

What does "profound obscurity" mean?

"Profound obscurity" refers to a state of being deeply unclear, mysterious, or difficult to understand. The word "profound" emphasizes the depth or intensity of the obscurity.

Which is more appropriate: "deep obscurity" or "profound obscurity"?

Both "deep obscurity" and "profound obscurity" are valid, but "profound obscurity" suggests a more significant or mysterious level of obscurity. Use "deep obscurity" if you only want to emphasize depth, but use "profound obscurity" if you also want to emphasize significance.

What are some alternatives to "profound obscurity"?

Some alternatives to "profound obscurity" include "deep mystery", "utter incomprehensibility", or "complete ambiguity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.