opaquely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opaquely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not transparent or is difficult to understand, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report was written opaquely, leaving many readers confused about the main findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They swallow about half of this, spend it opaquely and howl at any attempt to impose fiscal discipline.

The Economist

The remainder is invested, often opaquely, in businesses, including a city-centre hotel (where the Venezuelan flag hangs in the foyer) and a television channel, whose takeover last year forced a prominent critic of Mr Ortega's off the air.

The Economist

But some other countries were unconvinced, and the new resolution, passed after much tinkering, opaquely states that the Security Council will "remain actively seized of the matter, in order to ensure implementation of this resolution, and to secure peace and security in the area .Mr Clinton's domestic critics are dismayed.

The Economist

Despite encountering "obfuscation" and "denial" from the council, they found evidence that it had given money to groups, mainly run by Bangladeshis or Somalis, opaquely and contrary to internal advice.

The Economist

First, it exposes taxpayers in northern countries to risks that belong to those in southern states, but does so opaquely within the Eurosystem rather than openly.

The Economist

After the financial crisis Barack Obama worked closely (and opaquely) with lobbyists and other interest groups in crafting his stimulus package and his financial and health-care reforms.Mr Drutman dashes any hopes that the growth of lobbying can be reversed.

The Economist

If this seems like an amalgam of two entirely different genres, that's because "Wild" is a genre-defying, opaquely beautiful film.

The Economist

To outsiders, the process of choosing party successors remains as opaquely Byzantine as ever.

The Economist

But the IMF report says that only the three largest Spanish banks BBVA, CaixaBank and Santander, which account for 47% of assets—appear able to cope on their own if things get bad.Part of the troika's brief will be what the euro-zone governments call, opaquely, "horizontal structural reforms".

The Economist

The BLM is an opaquely run nightmare; cattle-industry insiders howl at its bureaucratic excesses.

The Economist

Charting the path of a lowly drifter who falls for the charms of dramatist-turned-demagogue-turned-demigod Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), The Master mirrors, opaquely, the story of L. Ron Hubbard and the blistering ascent of his Scientology movement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opaquely" when you want to emphasize a lack of transparency or clarity, especially in situations where there might be an intention to obscure or conceal information.

Common error

Avoid using "opaquely" in contexts where simpler words like "unclearly" or "vaguely" would suffice. "Opaquely" carries a connotation of deliberate obfuscation, so ensure that this nuance is intended.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "opaquely" modifies verbs or adjectives, describing the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. It indicates a lack of transparency or clarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opaquely" functions as an adverb to describe actions or qualities lacking transparency or clarity, often implying deliberate obfuscation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, primarily within News & Media contexts. While the word is considered neutral to formal, simpler alternatives should be favored in simple contexts. It’s important to consider the deliberate nuance that "opaquely" can bring to make sure it fits what you’re trying to say.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obscurely

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding something due to its vagueness.

vaguely

Emphasizes a lack of precision or detail in a statement or action.

ambiguously

Highlights the possibility of multiple interpretations of a statement.

unclearly

Directly points to the lack of clarity in communication or presentation.

enigmatically

Suggests a mysterious or puzzling quality in the way something is expressed.

cryptically

Implies that something is intentionally hidden or coded in its presentation.

indirectly

Describes actions or statements that are not straightforward or explicit.

implicitly

Indicates that something is suggested or understood without being directly stated.

blurrily

Describes a lack of sharp definition or clarity.

murkily

Conveys a sense of obscurity, often associated with something unpleasant or suspicious.

FAQs

How can I use "opaquely" in a sentence?

"Opaquely" is used to describe something done in a way that lacks transparency or is difficult to understand. For example, "The funds were spent "opaquely", making it difficult to track where the money went."

What words can I use instead of "opaquely"?

Alternatives to "opaquely" include "obscurely", "vaguely", or "ambiguously". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "opaquely" and "obscurely"?

While both "opaquely" and "obscurely" suggest a lack of clarity, "opaquely" often implies a deliberate attempt to hide or conceal information, whereas "obscurely" simply means something is not easily understood.

Is it correct to say something is "opaquely described"?

Yes, "opaquely described" is grammatically correct. It suggests that the description is not clear or transparent, possibly intentionally so. You could also say it was "vaguely described" or "unclearly described".