obfuscation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obfuscation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of making something unclear or difficult to understand, often in the context of language or information. Example: "The report was filled with obfuscation, making it hard for the readers to grasp the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He carried lucidity to the point of obfuscation, even beyond it to somewhere near dementia.

The Guardian

This is not a swipe at Cook, but at a wider sense of systemic obfuscation.

The Guardian - Sport

Murray Armstrong London Your account of the referendum campaign exposes the SNP's obfuscation, now even more successful than ever in pulling the wool over the eyes of so many Scots.

The Guardian

The fate of the political discourse over climate change, he argued, in many ways lies in the hands of voters in town halls as well as reporters and debate moderators – and whether they accept outright denial from Cruz and vague obfuscation from other candidates at face value.

The Guardian

The little that Mugabe has said since the 1980s has been a mixture of obfuscation and denial.

The Guardian

But here, clarity and meaning dissolve into fogs of evasion or obfuscation.

The Guardian

As ever, official confusion, or obfuscation, initially reigned about what actually happened.

The Economist

Then José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, added that Scotland would find it almost impossible to join the EU.In this section Putin's inferno How to make the world $600 billion poorer A man needs a mandate Plucking the goose The tragedy of the high seas Pounded into submission ReprintsMr Salmond has responded with a mixture of bluster, denial, obfuscation and crude threat.

The Economist

Almost all the firms surveyed by SAMP complained of delays, obfuscation and obstruction in the issuing of visas.

The Economist

By three means: arm-twisting, obfuscation and opt-outs.Arm-twisting worked on the main issue that caused the failure in December: the weighting of votes.

The Economist

Small wonder the beleaguered Assad regime, well versed in obfuscation and diplomatic delay, welcomed the prospect with barely disguised glee.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obfuscation" when you want to describe the act of intentionally making something difficult to understand, especially to conceal the truth or avoid clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "obfuscation" when the information is just complex. "Obfuscation" implies a deliberate attempt to hide or confuse, not just a lack of simplicity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obfuscation" is as a noun, typically referring to the act or process of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. Ludwig examples show its use in describing political rhetoric and technical concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obfuscation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes the act of making something unclear, often intentionally. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is commonly found in news and formal writing. It's essential to use "obfuscation" when referring to a deliberate attempt to confuse, rather than simple complexity. Alternatives include "making obscure" and "clouding the issue". Common usage patterns show its prevalence in news, formal business, and even scientific contexts. Remember, using "obfuscation" correctly can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making obscure

Focuses on the act of making something less clear, differing in grammatical structure.

rendering unintelligible

Emphasizes the result of making something impossible to understand, using stronger vocabulary.

clouding the issue

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe making an issue less clear.

muddying the waters

Another metaphorical expression, suggesting that something has been made less clear or more complicated.

evasiveness

Highlights the act of avoiding directness or clarity, focusing on the intent behind the lack of clarity.

equivocation

Focuses on using ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid commitment.

prevarication

Highlights deviation from the truth and is stronger than obfuscation.

purposeful ambiguity

Emphasizes the intention behind the lack of clarity, making it deliberate.

intentional vagueness

Highlights the deliberate nature of being unclear, emphasizing the lack of specific details.

deliberate mystification

Focuses on intentionally creating confusion and mystery.

FAQs

How can I use "obfuscation" in a sentence?

You can use "obfuscation" to describe the act of making something unclear, such as "The politician used "obfuscation" to avoid answering the question directly".

What's a simple definition of "obfuscation"?

"Obfuscation" refers to making something unclear, obscure, or unintelligible, often intentionally.

Which is a more common synonym for "obfuscation", ambiguity or clarity?

Ambiguity is a more common synonym for "obfuscation", as both relate to a lack of clarity. The opposite of "obfuscation" is "clarity".

What is the difference between "obfuscation" and lying?

"Obfuscation" involves making something unclear or confusing, while lying is a direct misrepresentation of the truth. "Obfuscation" can be used to avoid lying while still misleading.