obscured

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obscured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been blocked out of sight, or something that is hard to make out or understand. For example, "The sun was obscured by clouds, resulting in a dark and gloomy afternoon".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

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

In Zero Dark Thirty and Captain Phillips, Seal teams emerge only at the climax, with the long tail of logistical support from conventional aviation, infantry and intelligence units obscured by the shadow of the elite.

The Guardian - Opinion

We spent ages beforehand minimising the amount of damage we'd make – abandoning the pram in favour of a baby carrier, cramming all the assembled going-out paraphernalia into tiny satchels, deliberately picking a quiet train, and finding the most obscured seats in case he needed to breastfeed – and hoped against hope that he wouldn't cry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From every angle the view is obscured and fragmented.

The Guardian

"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," he said.

The Guardian

THE past two years have rather obscured the charms of the free market.

The Economist

In the late 1940s, New York's art scene beckoned to the young student: "Like so many people," he says, "I got my visual education at the MoMA .In its relatively short lifetime, abstract art has been illuminated (and obscured) by two influential critical attitudes.

The Economist

According to Ms Bair's account, the lenders who originated hybrid ARMs deliberately misled borrowers precisely the sorts of financially unsophisticated households who could least afford the risks and obscured fees presented by them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the connotations of "obscured"; it often implies a loss of clarity or visibility, so ensure it fits the intended tone and message.

Common error

Avoid using "obscured" when a simpler word like "hidden" or "covered" would suffice. "Obscured" is most effective when suggesting a more complex or nuanced sense of being hidden or unclear. For example, instead of saying "The book was obscured by papers", consider using "hidden" if it's a simple case of being out of sight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obscured" is as a past participle or past tense verb. It describes the state of something having been hidden or made unclear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "obscured" is a versatile past participle or past tense verb used to describe something that has been hidden, covered, or made unclear, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It enjoys widespread use, particularly in news and media, but its register remains neutral, making it appropriate for a variety of contexts. While alternatives such as "hidden", "veiled", and "shadowed" exist, "obscured" is particularly effective when suggesting a more nuanced or complex sense of being unclear. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simple situations where a more direct term would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

veiled

Indicates that something is covered or concealed, often implying a deliberate attempt to hide something.

hidden

Suggests something is out of sight or difficult to find.

blurred

Implies that something is indistinct or lacking clear definition.

clouded

Suggests that something is made less clear or understandable, often emotionally or mentally.

shadowed

Indicates that something is darkened or diminished by something else.

eclipsed

Implies that something is surpassed or overshadowed in importance or prominence.

concealed

Suggests a deliberate act of keeping something secret or hidden from view.

muddled

Indicates that something is confused or disorganized, making it difficult to understand.

faded

Suggests that something has lost clarity, intensity, or prominence over time.

camouflaged

Implies that something is disguised to blend in with its surroundings and avoid detection.

FAQs

How can I use "obscured" in a sentence?

"Obscured" is commonly used to describe something that is hidden, unclear, or not easily seen. For example: "The sun was "obscured" by the clouds", or "His motives were "obscured" by his actions".

What are some alternatives to using "obscured"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "hidden", "veiled", "blurred", or "shadowed" instead of "obscured".

Is it correct to say "the truth was obscured"?

Yes, "the truth was obscured" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It suggests that the truth has been hidden or made unclear, often intentionally.

What is the difference between "obscured" and "concealed"?

"Obscured" suggests something is hidden or unclear, while "concealed" implies a deliberate attempt to hide something. Something can be obscured unintentionally, but concealment is always intentional.