1
Core action
Make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
Example
Technical jargon can obfuscate a simple argument.
obfuscate
/ˈɒbfəskeɪt/ · OB-fuh-skaytverb
Make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
Use obfuscate to express this relationship precisely: make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
What obfuscate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The revised chart clarifies rather than obfuscates the trend.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Officials used vague language to obfuscate responsibility.
Use obfuscate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Technical jargon can obfuscate a simple argument.
The revised chart clarifies rather than obfuscates the trend.
Officials used vague language to obfuscate responsibility.
Precision Matters
Obfuscate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
obfuscate
vs.Means make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
illuminate
Means make an idea, subject, or situation clearer; literally, supply something with light.
obfuscate
vs.Means make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
explicit
Means stated directly and with complete clarity.
obfuscate
vs.Means make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
articulate
Means able to express ideas clearly, fluently, and effectively.
obfuscate
vs.Means make an idea, issue, or statement unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand.
obscure
Means not well known or difficult to understand.
Test obfuscate in Context
The terminology makes the issue less clear and harder to understand.
1
Instead of explaining the discrepancy, the dense terminology served only to ___ it.