occlude

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "occlude" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an intransitive verb, meaning to close off or block something. For example, "The dense fog occluded the view of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

As he puts it, this "fact" is "as clear an indicator as one might find of Hughes's desire simultaneously to include and occlude her influence".

The Economist

Thick plaques that severely occlude an artery can significantly decrease the flow of blood to vascular beds in tissues served by the artery, thereby causing severe tissue damage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A thrombus may partially or completely block (occlude) blood flow through a vessel or may break off from the vessel wall and travel through the bloodstream, at which point it is called an embolus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chronic occlusive disease develops over time as atherosclerotic deposition increases plaque size and tends to occlude the vessel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upper and lower teeth alternated in position when the jaw was closed; they did not occlude directly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During such rituals relatives have to avoid all sewing, which might occlude the pitṛi's throat, rendering it incapable of ever breathing or drinking again.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

(Mars will be as far away as 370m kilometres in 2013, and occluded for two weeks by the sun to boot, with data rate slipping to 500Kbps).From its first transmissions in 2005, MRO has sent back a stunning 174 terabytes of data, more than all previous planetary missions and probes of any kind combined.

The Economist

And this simpler book, in any case, is occluded by a larger and far more complex enterprise, a work that is as much intellectual memoir as political essay.Mr Sullivan's religious conviction is the problem.

The Economist

His black face is occluded by a white mask.

The Economist

There are three functional categories of cell junction: adhering junctions, often called desmosomes; tight, or occluding, junctions; and gap, or permeable, junctions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When an embolus becomes lodged in another vessel where it completely occludes blood flow, it causes an embolism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occlude" when you want to convey a sense of something being blocked or obstructed, whether physically or metaphorically. For instance, "Fog can occlude the mountain view" or "Complex jargon can occlude clear understanding."

Common error

Avoid using "occlude" when you mean to say "include". "Occlude" means to block or obstruct, while "include" means to contain or encompass. The opposite meanings can lead to confusion if used incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "occlude" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of blocking or obstructing something, making it imperceptible or inaccessible. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from physical obstructions to metaphorical ones.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occlude" is a verb that signifies blocking or obstructing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and versatile. While it can be used in various contexts, it tends to appear more frequently in formal settings, like news articles, scientific papers, and encyclopedias. When using "occlude", ensure it is not confused with "include", as they carry opposite meanings. Semantically related alternatives include "block off", ""obstruct"", and "conceal". This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of "occlude", enhancing clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

block off

Focuses on the action of preventing passage or view by placing an obstruction.

shut out

Emphasizes preventing entry or access, often with a sense of exclusion.

obstruct the view

Specifically refers to hindering the line of sight.

close up

Suggests a more complete sealing or covering.

cover up

Implies concealing something, often with a negative connotation.

impede the progress

Highlights the slowing down or hindering of a process.

block the path

Focuses on physically preventing movement or progress.

mask the truth

Implies a deliberate attempt to hide or disguise information.

screen from view

Emphasizes the use of a barrier to hide something.

conceal from sight

Focuses on making something invisible or unnoticeable.

FAQs

How do you use "occlude" in a sentence?

The word "occlude" means to block or obstruct. For example, "The heavy curtains occluded the sunlight" or "The speaker's complex language seemed to "obstruct", or "occlude", understanding of the main points."

What can I say instead of "occlude"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "block", ""obstruct"", "cover up", or "conceal".

Is it correct to say something is "occluded by" something else?

Yes, it is correct. The passive form, "occluded by", indicates that something is being blocked or obstructed by something else. For example: "The moon was occluded by clouds."

What's the difference between "occlude" and "exclude"?

"Occlude" means to block or obstruct, while "exclude" means to prevent something from being included or considered. The words have opposite meanings. For example, "The fence occluded the view", versus "They were excluded from the team".