cloud
verb B1
Plain meaning
make something harder to understand or judge clearly
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam writing, this is used to discuss make something harder to understand or judge clearly in a more precise way.
In context
naturalThe team tried to cloud judgement before the deadline.
examThe passage suggests that institutions may need to cloud judgement in order to improve long-term outcomes.
Common collocations
cloud judgementcloud the issuecloud memory
Watch out
Do not pair it with a random object. Learn the full pattern, e.g., “cloud judgement”. Also avoid confusing it with “clarify”.