obscured by

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscured by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in the sense of something being hidden by something else. For example, you could say "The sun was obscured by a thick layer of clouds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

His vision is also obscured by cataracts.

The New York Times

Neatly obscured by Mark Rutte.

The Guardian - Business

The rich flavours aren't obscured by sweetness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is constantly obscured by the government".

The Guardian

Others are obscured by decades of secrecy.

The New York Times

The girl's house was obscured by the fog.

The New Yorker

For a moment, he was obscured by the Havana night.

The New Yorker

Outside, the sky was obscured by swirling gray-brown ash.

The New York Times

You were looking down, your face obscured by a visor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now, half-obscured by mist, they almost blew my mind.

The Guardian

Some of them had their faces half-obscured by scarves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obscured by" to clearly indicate that something is not easily seen or understood because something else is blocking or concealing it. This phrase is effective when describing visual or conceptual concealment.

Common error

Avoid using "obscured by" when a more appropriate phrase like "complicated by" or "influenced by" would better describe the relationship between abstract concepts. "Obscured by" implies a direct blocking or hiding, which may not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscured by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is hidden, blocked, or made unclear by something else. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obscured by" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is hidden, blocked, or made unclear by something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used. With 56 examples found, the phrase appears frequently in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. It has a neutral register and can be used in both formal and informal writing. Common synonyms include "hidden by", "covered by" and "concealed by". When using "obscured by", ensure it appropriately conveys the sense of something being directly blocked, rather than simply influenced or complicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hidden by

Direct synonym, emphasizing the state of being not visible.

covered by

Implies a physical covering that makes something difficult to see.

concealed by

Formal synonym, implying a deliberate attempt to keep something secret or hidden.

veiled by

Suggests a delicate or subtle form of concealment.

masked by

Indicates a deliberate attempt to hide something.

eclipsed by

Suggests being overshadowed in importance or visibility.

shadowed by

Implies a darker or more ominous form of concealment.

screened by

Suggests protection or concealment through an intervening barrier.

blocked by

Emphasizes the prevention of visibility or access.

smothered by

Implies being overwhelmed and hidden due to an excess of something.

FAQs

How can I use "obscured by" in a sentence?

Use "obscured by" when something is hidden or not easily seen because something else is in the way. For example, "The view was obscured by the fog" or "The truth was obscured by lies".

What phrases are similar to "obscured by"?

Similar phrases include "hidden by", "covered by", or "concealed by". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "obscured by" or "overshadowed by"?

"Obscured by" indicates something is hidden or not easily seen, while "overshadowed by" suggests something is less important or noticeable in comparison. Choose based on the intended meaning.

Can "obscured by" be used in non-visual contexts?

Yes, "obscured by" can be used metaphorically. For example, "The facts were obscured by rumors". However, ensure the metaphor is clear and effective.