obscurantism

[ uhb-skyoor-uhn-tiz-uhm, ob-skyoo-ran-tiz-uhm ]

/ əbˈskyʊər ənˌtɪz əm, ˌɒb skyʊˈræn tɪz əm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR obscurantism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.

deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.

Origin of obscurantism

1825–35; <French obscurantisme;see obscurant, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM obscurantism

ob·scu·rant·ist, noun, adjective

Words nearby obscurantism

obrogation, obs., obscene, obscenity, obscurant, obscurantism, obscuration, obscure, obscurity, obscurum per obscurius, obsecrate

Example sentences from the Web for obscurantism

As they were only talking to themselves, obscurantism increased on a par with poverty and its ills.
Israel’s Religious Zionist Vs. Ultra-Orthodox Rift|Rabbi Daniel Landes|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Look where you will, immeasurable Obscurantism is girdling this fair France; which, again, will not be girdled by it.
The French Revolution|Thomas Carlyle
It is in itself an argument which has no necessary connexion with obscurantism.
Outspoken Essays|William Ralph Inge
The obscurantism placed upon sexual matters has caused more physical and mental distress than most of our organic diseases.
The Necessity of Atheism|Dr. D.M. Brooks

For simply differing from the obscurantism of his age, and having opinions of his own.
In the Heart of Vosges|Matilda Betham-Edwards
Most significant of all, Vambéry found even the secluded women of the harems, "those bulwarks of obscurantism," notably changed.
The New World of Islam|Lothrop Stoddard