blur out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blur out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that details are intentionally obscured so that they cannot be easily seen or understood. For example: "The pictures of the scene were released to the public, but the faces of the people involved were blurred out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

So a long lens was used to blur out the expensive fixtures.

The New York Times

Those conditions would require Google to lower the height of its Street View cameras so they would not peer over garden walls and hedges, to completely blur out sensitive facilities like women's shelters, prisons, retirement homes and schools, and to advise communities in advance of scheduled tapings.

The New York Times

With unfamiliar faces, by contrast, the external features the hair, ears, face shape and neck play a more important role.To account for this EvoFIT was adapted to blur out any distracting external features when witnesses choose from the grid, and restore them once their selections have been made.

The Economist

Because the analysis method and sparse data used in this study will tend to blur out most century-scale changes, we can't use the analysis of Marcott et al. to draw any firm conclusions about how unique the rapid changes of the twentieth century are compared to the previous 10,000 years.

The New York Times

"It was one of those scenes in the movies where the doctor says something and you blur out everything else.

TechCrunch

The camera has a built-in depth sensor to blur out everything in the photo, save for the subject.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Examples of undesirable conditions are visible light imaging with weak pupillary boundaries, on-the-move near infrared acquisition with typical motion blur, out-of-focus images, or images with weak limbic contrast.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

The call letters on the microphone are blurred out on Internet sites showing the video.

The New York Times

(Mainly changing the focus point or blurring out a photo-bomber).

The Guardian - Tech

The technique, called image defocus, involves blurring out objects in the distance while keeping closer ones sharp.

The New York Times - Science

This then blurs out into the online voices that these days act as the media's outer ring.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blur out" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being obscured and why. For example, "The faces in the surveillance footage were blurred out to protect the individuals' privacy."

Common error

Avoid using "blur out" when you mean complete removal or deletion. "Blur out" implies a partial obscuring, not total elimination. Use "delete" or "remove" if something is completely gone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "blur out" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the action of intentionally obscuring or making something less distinct. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "blur out" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of intentionally obscuring something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in news, media, science, and wiki contexts to protect privacy, censor content, or de-emphasize certain elements. When writing, ensure the context is clear and consider alternatives like "obscure" or "mask" to fine-tune your intended meaning. Remember that "blur out" suggests partial obscuration, not complete removal, and this key point must be taken into account in order to generate a high quality linguistic outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obscure

Refers to making something difficult to perceive or understand, often implying a lack of clarity.

mask

Indicates concealing something, often to hide its true nature or appearance.

conceal

Suggests hiding something from view or knowledge.

hide

A general term for preventing something from being seen or discovered.

cover up

Implies concealing something, often a mistake or wrongdoing.

white out

Specifies completely obliterating something, typically text, by covering it with white.

blank out

Suggests removing information or details, often suddenly or unintentionally.

efface

Refers to erasing or obliterating something, often from a surface.

delete

Indicates removing something completely, especially digital information.

redact

Involves editing a document to remove sensitive information, often for legal or security reasons.

FAQs

How is "blur out" typically used in sentences?

The phrase "blur out" is usually followed by the object that is being obscured, such as "blur out the faces" or "blur out the details". It implies making something less clear or distinct.

What are some synonyms for "blur out"?

Alternatives to "blur out" include "obscure", "mask", or "conceal", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "blurred out" or "blur out"?

"Blurred out" is the past participle form, used in past tense constructions (e.g., "The image was blurred out"). "Blur out" is the base form, used in present tense or infinitive phrases (e.g., "They blur out the license plates").

What's the difference between "blur out" and "fade out"?

"Blur out" suggests making something less distinct or clear, while "fade out" implies gradually disappearing or diminishing in intensity.