Indistinctiveness: meaning, definitions and examples

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indistinctiveness

 

[ ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋktɪvnəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in communication

The quality of being unclear or not easily distinguished.

Synonyms

blurriness, obscurity, unclearness, vagueness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indistinctiveness

Used when something is not clear or is hard to recognize. Typically applied to visual or auditory elements.

  • The indistinctiveness of the figure in the fog made it hard to identify.
  • There was an indistinctiveness in the recording that puzzled the investigators.
unclearness

Refers to a general lack of clarity in any context, including thoughts, speech, writing, or perception.

  • His instructions were full of unclearness, leaving the team confused.
  • The essay's unclearness impeded its overall effectiveness.
blurriness

Describes a state where visual clarity is lost, often due to motion, lack of focus, or visual impairment.

  • She couldn't read the message on the board due to the blurriness of her vision.
  • The photograph's blurriness made it difficult to see any details.
obscurity

This word is often used when something is not well-known or is hidden from understanding. It can refer to ideas, texts, or physical objects.

  • The poet lived in obscurity for most of his life, only gaining fame posthumously.
  • The obscurity of the text made it challenging for scholars to interpret.
vagueness

Often relates to a lack of specificity or precision in language or ideas. Usually used in contexts involving descriptions, explanations, or promises.

  • His vagueness about the details of the project made everyone uneasy.
  • The contract's vagueness could lead to future legal disputes.

Examples of usage

  • The indistinctiveness of her speech made it difficult to understand her.
  • His indistinctiveness in the crowd made it hard to pick him out.
  • The indistinctiveness of the logo made it challenging to recognize the brand.
Context #2 | Noun

in appearance

The state of not being clearly visible or defined.

Synonyms

fuzziness, indeterminateness, nebulosity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indistinctiveness

Applied similarly to 'indistinctiveness,' but the repetition suggests a need to focus on its specific use in matters involving unclear separation between objects or ideas.

  • The indistinctiveness between the twins puzzled everyone at the gathering
nebulosity

Best used in more poetic or descriptive language, often implying a vague, cloud-like quality.

  • The nebulosity of her plans made it difficult for anyone to understand what she truly wanted
fuzziness

Use this word when describing something that is not clearly defined, often visually or conceptually. This can be used in technical or non-technical contexts.

  • The photo's fuzziness made it hard to identify the person in the picture
indeterminateness

This word is more formal and typically used in academic or philosophical discussions to describe something that is not precisely determined, often involving ambiguity or uncertainty.

  • The indeterminateness of quantum states is a central concept in quantum mechanics

Examples of usage

  • The indistinctiveness of the figure in the fog created an eerie atmosphere.
  • The indistinctiveness of the painting gave it a dream-like quality.

Translations

Translations of the word "indistinctiveness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indistintividade

🇮🇳 अस्पष्टता

🇩🇪 Unklarheit

🇮🇩 ketidakjelasan

🇺🇦 нечіткість

🇵🇱 niejasność

🇯🇵 不明瞭さ (ふめいりょうさ)

🇫🇷 indistinction

🇪🇸 indistinción

🇹🇷 belirsizlik

🇰🇷 불명확성

🇸🇦 عدم الوضوح

🇨🇿 nejasnost

🇸🇰 nejasnosť

🇨🇳 模糊 (móhu)

🇸🇮 nejasnost

🇮🇸 óskýrleiki

🇰🇿 анықсыздық

🇬🇪 არასპეციფიკურობა

🇦🇿 müəyyənliksizlik

🇲🇽 indistinción

Etymology

The word 'indistinctiveness' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'distinctiveness'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-17th century. The concept of indistinctiveness has been explored in various fields such as art, communication, and psychology, highlighting the importance of clarity and definition in different contexts.

See also: distinct, distinction, distinctive, distinctively, distinctiveness, distinctly, distinctness, indistinct, indistinctly, indistinctness.