obscure it with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obscure it with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of making something less visible or clear by covering it or hiding it with another object or element. Example: "To create a sense of mystery in the painting, the artist chose to obscure it with layers of translucent paint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If you have a basement hatch that you dislike, obscure it with shrubs.

The New York Times

Despite the documentary-makers' best efforts to obscure it with cheap laughs and a teaser campaign of questionable ethics, there is bravery here, as well as a powerful emotional understatement.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, so often, followers of Jesus chose to blatantly ignore some of the clearest instruction of our Rabbi and obscure it with vague theology so that we can get off the hook.

Huffington Post

A not-too-distant-future dystopia would be an America where republican rule went largely unchallenged, allowing the GOP to install the cruelest, most racist, most poor-hating legislation possible and obscure it with the most deceitful, jingoistic, and sanctimonious propaganda they could muster.

Huffington Post

It should make your work more accessible, not obscure it with convoluted language filled with artsy jargon.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Whistler does show the Basilica of San Marco in a couple of the etchings, but he obscures it with a column (in "The Piazzetta") and a row of rooftops (in "The Riva, No. 1").

The New York Times - Arts

One could describe certain passages as tending to the "novelistic" – a dread word in some academic circles – but animating the historical data is very different from obscuring it with madeup conversations in unevidenced locations.

The Guardian - Books

Science journalists should try to make this extraordinary discovery clear to the public rather than obscuring it with buckets of hyperbole.

Huffington Post

I mean that in the nicest possible way — her desserts focus on direct, clean flavors and simple presentations that highlight the beauty of the fruit rather than obscuring it with ornamentation.

Los Angeles Times

However, when we extrapolate a second time, the bias of the resulting estimator is so low that Monte Carlo fluctuations completely obscure it, even with 10 simulations.

BMC Systems Biology

Bring your hand over the front of the coin and obscure it from view with your fingers, making as if to take it between your fingers and your thumb.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obscure it with", ensure the object used for obscuring is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what is being used to cover or hide the object.

Common error

Avoid using abstract nouns excessively with "obscure it with", as this can make the sentence vague and difficult to understand. Prefer concrete nouns and clearer descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure it with" functions as a verb phrase where "obscure" is the verb, "it" is the pronoun serving as the direct object, and "with" introduces the means or instrument used for obscuring. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obscure it with" is a grammatically sound and usable construction that serves to describe the act of making something less visible or understandable by covering it with something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be useful in various writing scenarios. While relatively infrequent, the contexts where it appears range from news to technical writing, suggesting its broad applicability. For alternatives, consider options such as "cover it with" or "hide it with" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover it with

Replaces 'obscure' with the more direct verb 'cover'.

hide it with

Similar to 'cover it with', but implies more deliberate concealment.

conceal it with

A more formal synonym for 'hide'.

mask it with

Suggests concealing something undesirable or negative.

veil it with

Implies a subtle covering, often with something delicate.

screen it with

Suggests using a barrier to block view.

blur it with

Focuses on making something visually indistinct.

muffle it with

Implies reducing clarity or audibility, not just visibility.

disguise it with

Implies changing the appearance to prevent recognition.

cloud it with

Suggests making something less clear or understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "obscure it with" in a sentence?

You can use "obscure it with" to describe the act of making something less visible or clear by covering it. For example, "To create a sense of mystery, the artist chose to "cover it with" layers of translucent paint".

What are some alternatives to "obscure it with"?

Alternatives include "hide it with", "mask it with", or "conceal it with" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "obscure it with" or "hide it with"?

The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Hide it with" is more straightforward, while "obscure it with" suggests a more subtle or partial covering. Consider alternatives such as "screen it with" or "veil it with".

What is the difference between "obscure it with" and "confuse it with"?

"Obscure it with" means to make something less visible or clear, while "confuse it with" means to mistake something for something else. They have different meanings and aren't interchangeable; although the SEARCH_DATA mentions "confuse it with", it does not have the same meaning at all.