deliberately obscure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberately obscure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is intentionally made unclear or difficult to understand. Example: "The author's writing style is often deliberately obscure, leaving readers puzzled about the true meaning of the text."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Much of the new art and dance seemed puzzling and deliberately obscure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Sheriffs deliberately obscure from the public how much money they're making," said Mr. Foster, a leading expert on Louisiana prisons.

The New York Times

The only occasions I witnessed supporters threaten to deliberately obscure the cameras of unfavourable television networks were at Corbyn and Sanders rallies; never those of Donald Trump.

The Guardian

This adds to the suspense, but some people will find it irritating, the way some people found Michael Haneke's Hidden deliberately obscure.

The Guardian - Film

Enrolled in a poetry workshop, I quickly found I preferred Levine's fiercely American voice, which celebrates working-class lives and the hard labor they entail, to the rarefied meanderings of more deliberately obscure poets.

The New York Times

In some cases, she said, vendors who want to skirt a trade show's policies will deliberately obscure their affiliation or their plans to run an exhibit in a suite, making enforcement even harder.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

For each image, she deliberately obscured her own face.

The New York Times

This mimics the standard low-resolution practice that deliberately obscures the 1Jαβ coupling (Fig. 3a).

Nature

Four actors play seven roles, deliberately obscuring the differences between them.

The Guardian

For almost the entire decade before he was captured, in early 2003, Mohammed was a fugitive, deliberately obscuring his tracks.

The New Yorker

Regulators also complained that the company's sales pitch deliberately obscured the high points and other fees that borrowers paid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deliberately obscure", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is obscuring what and for what reason. This strengthens the clarity and impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberately obscure" when simpler terms like "unclear" or "vague" suffice. The phrase carries a connotation of intentionality and complexity, which may be excessive for straightforward situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberately obscure" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "deliberately" modifies the adjective "obscure", emphasizing the intentional nature of the act of making something unclear. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deliberately obscure" is a valid and meaningful expression used to describe something intentionally made unclear or difficult to understand. Ludwig's analysis, backed by various reputable sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and provides context for its usage. The term appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts, denoting a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "intentionally vague" or "purposely unclear" exist, "deliberately obscure" carries a slightly stronger connotation of intentional complexity, as validated by Ludwig AI's assessment. Therefore, use it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants its specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally vague

Focuses on the lack of clarity being intentional, similar to "deliberately obscure".

purposely unclear

Emphasizes the intention behind the lack of clarity, mirroring the deliberate nature of the original phrase.

intentionally obfuscated

Shares a similar meaning but uses a more formal and technical vocabulary.

purposely concealed

Highlights the act of hiding information rather than just making it unclear.

willfully ambiguous

Indicates a conscious choice to be ambiguous, resembling the deliberate aspect.

calculatedly vague

Suggests a strategic or planned lack of clarity.

designedly misleading

Focuses on the intention to lead someone to a wrong conclusion through obscurity.

knowingly confusing

Highlights the awareness and intention to create confusion.

artificially complex

Emphasizes that the complexity is not natural but created on purpose.

strategically ambiguous

Suggests that the ambiguity serves a specific purpose or strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "deliberately obscure" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberately obscure" to describe something that has been intentionally made difficult to understand. For example: "The details of the agreement were "deliberately obscure" to prevent public scrutiny."

What are some alternatives to "deliberately obscure"?

Some alternatives to "deliberately obscure" include "intentionally vague", "purposely unclear", or "intentionally obfuscated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "deliberately obscure" or "intentionally obscure"?

Both "deliberately obscure" and "intentionally obscure" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, although "deliberately" might suggest a more careful or planned action.

What does it mean when something is "deliberately obscure"?

When something is "deliberately obscure", it means that someone has intentionally made it unclear, vague, or difficult to understand. This is often done to hide information, avoid scrutiny, or create a sense of mystery.