Obscured

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Obscured" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is hidden, unclear, or not easily seen. An example is: "The details of the plan were obscured by the lack of information." Alternative expressions include "hidden," "concealed," and "veiled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first is Europe, the issue that was meant to be the party's raison d'être but which has been obscured in recent years by immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even in Pirates of the Caribbean, when he was speaking with a Scottish accent and had his face obscured by octopus legs, Bill Nighy was still unmistakably Bill Nighy.

The Guardian - Film

I'm regularly overtaken by men in banana-yellow Lycra, my view of the road suddenly obscured by a disgustingly precise representation of their pumping buttocks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The chairman said: "Maybe the tough measures on the deficit and also the effort to make the budget fair would have come across more clearly if they hadn't been obscured in debate of claim and counter-claim.

The Guardian

Related: Visions of Fifa reform obscured by international politics and resentment | Owen Gibson The organising committee chairman, Irvin Khoza, and its chief executive Jordaan, last week elected as an African National Congress mayor, are yet to address the allegations publicly.

The Guardian - Sport

But if the reasons why companies lobby are often obscured, it is always a tactical investment.

The Guardian

The same quote appears at the beginning of the 2010 book Merchants of Doubt: How A Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming by science historians Erik Conway and Professor Naomi Oreskes.

The Guardian

This role was obscured at the end of the 19th century when, post-Wagner, opera houses and audiences began to see the musical drama as the sole product of the composer's imagination.

The Guardian

Ollie missed his putt, like he was always going to do, and all the subsequent huff, puff and bluster let an awful lot of Europeans off the hook – and obscured an amazing American performance, for which they have never been given proper credit this side of the ocean.

The Guardian - Sport

For the past couple of months, unequivocal Brownites have been frustrated by the knowledge that the Prime Minister's ideas are being obscured, temporarily, by events and, in the longer term, by debilitating caution.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Visions of Fifa reform obscured by international politics and resentment | Owen Gibson The controversial Warner was also named in last week's explosive indictment from the US Department of Justice that alleged a "World Cup of fraud".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obscured", consider the specific nuance you want to convey—whether it's a physical obstruction, a lack of clarity, or a deliberate attempt to conceal something. Choose synonyms or alternative phrasing if a more precise meaning is needed.

Common error

While "obscured" is a valid word, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "hidden", "veiled", or "clouded" to make your writing more engaging and to convey subtle differences in meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obscured" is as a past participle or past tense verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the state of being hidden or unclear. For instance, "The details were obscured" shows it acting as a verb in the passive voice. It is often used to indicate that something is no longer easily visible or understandable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Obscured" is a versatile term used to describe something that has been hidden, made unclear, or lost from view. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage, often functioning as a past participle or past tense verb. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register.

To enhance your writing, consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "hidden", "veiled", or "blurred" to convey more precise meanings. Be mindful of overuse, and strive for clarity by avoiding "obscured" when a more direct term would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hidden

This alternative indicates something is physically or figuratively out of sight.

Veiled

This suggests something is covered or concealed, often with a delicate or intangible barrier.

Blurred

This implies a lack of sharp distinction, making something difficult to perceive clearly.

Concealed

Similar to hidden, but often implies a deliberate act of keeping something secret.

Clouded

This suggests that something has become unclear or confused, often due to external factors.

Masked

This indicates that something is disguised or its true nature is covered up.

Obscurified

This is a less common, but valid, alternative that also means made obscure.

Made indistinct

This phrase explicitly states the act of making something not easily distinguishable.

Rendered invisible

This suggests that something has been made to disappear from sight or awareness.

Lost from view

This implies that something was once visible but is no longer so.

FAQs

How is "obscured" used in a sentence?

"Obscured" is typically used as a verb to describe something that has been hidden or made unclear. For example, "The truth was "obscured" by conflicting reports."

What can I say instead of "obscured"?

You can use alternatives like "hidden", "veiled", "blurred", or "concealed" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "obscured" and "hidden"?

"Obscured" implies something is not easily seen or understood, while "hidden" suggests something is deliberately kept out of sight. "The view was "obscured" by fog" versus "The treasure was hidden under the floorboards."

Is it better to say "obscured by" or "obscured with"?

"Obscured by" is generally preferred when something is hidden or made unclear because of something else, like, "The path was "obscured" by the bushes". "Obscured with" can be used when something is covered with something physical, but it's less common. Using the word «by» is a more semantic approach.