smokescreen

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "smokescreen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is used to cover up an underlying issue or to distract from an underlying truth. Example sentence: The company used a smokescreen of excuses to cover up their scandal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

However the decision has been labelled a "smokescreen" to reopen old-growth forests to logging, despite loggers not wanting it.

The Guardian

Sullivan believes references to "the terrorist film" in the hackers' demands are a smokescreen for attempts at extortion, though Cluley said some of the imagery used by the hackers recalls the "Dark Seoul" attacks of spring 2013, where systems in South Korea were targeted by the North.

The Guardian - Film

In his televised budget address in reply, the opposition leader sought to paint Joe Hockey's budget as a "reheated" version of last year's, the government's claims of fairness as a "smokescreen" and a "hoax" and its predictions of a major boost to the economy from its small business stimulus plan as overblown.

The Guardian

In reality, what happened in June was a political fix, more concerned with the future health of the coalition than the future of the NHS, and a fix that has acted as a smokescreen around the detail of the repackaged bill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Be that as it may, many see the G20 cultural celebrations being used as a smokescreen, a way to divert people away from criticising the state government.

The Guardian - Music

Hunt said "a wide range of stakeholders were consulted" before the government made the proposal to Unesco, but that has been labelled a "smokescreen" by environmentalists.

The Guardian

He says he would not abandon Iraq, but talks of pulling troops out which looks like a muddle or a smokescreen for retreat.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Perhaps not entirely coincidentally, Grange has received rave notices from Robert Parker, the world's most influential wine critic, who is based in America.In this section Dutch capped Scaling heights Smokescreens Sometimes a snowball is art Taste buds Down Under In search of icons ReprintsBut while lauding Grange, Mr Parker has often been cruelly dismissive of many of Australia's other efforts.

The Economist

Hedge funds and the prime brokers that serve them have tended to counter that such accusations are smokescreens put up by bosses to mask their own failings.In this section Oat cuisine Keep on trucking Getting to the naked truth Minority report Citi building A fare fight Go for the churn ReprintsAfter years of sitting on their hands, regulators are starting to side with the companies.

The Economist

He spent much of last winter building balls in the Highlands only to have them melt in the City, as well as on the web at www.eyestorm.com.In this section Dutch capped Scaling heights Smokescreens Sometimes a snowball is art Taste buds Down Under In search of icons Reprints.

The Economist

$1,000 for a licence is a lot of money to a small winery".Mr Starr calls the wholesalers' arguments "smokescreens" for their greed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smokescreen" when you want to imply a deliberate attempt to hide an underlying truth or activity, often for strategic advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "smokescreen" when there's no clear evidence of intentional deception. If the situation involves genuine confusion or unintentional misdirection, a different term may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "smokescreen" is as a noun, often used as a metaphor to describe something that obscures, conceals, or distracts from the truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in political, business and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "smokescreen" is a versatile noun frequently used to describe a deliberate attempt to conceal or misdirect. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase is employed to suggest that what is presented is merely a distraction from an underlying truth. When using "smokescreen", it's crucial to ensure the context supports an intent to deceive, distinguishing it from unintentional errors or misunderstandings. Alternatives include "cover-up" and "ruse", each carrying slightly different connotations. The frequent usage and clear semantic meaning of "smokescreen" contribute to its effectiveness in conveying deception or obfuscation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover-up

This alternative directly implies an attempt to hide wrongdoing or a mistake.

ruse

This term suggests a deceptive maneuver or trick, similar to creating a diversion.

deception

This word indicates the act of misleading or misrepresenting the truth.

pretense

This suggests a false display of intentions or qualities.

facade

This implies a superficial appearance or illusion of something.

bluff

This indicates an attempt to deceive someone about one's abilities or intentions.

red herring

This suggests a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the real issue.

camouflage

This highlights the act of disguising or concealing something.

disguise

This implies concealing the true nature or identity of something.

obfuscation

This term refers to making something unclear or unintelligible.

FAQs

How is "smokescreen" used in a sentence?

The word "smokescreen" is typically used to describe actions or information intended to obscure or conceal something. For instance: "The politician's promises were just a "smokescreen" to hide his true intentions."

What phrases can I use instead of "smokescreen"?

You can use alternatives like "cover-up", "ruse", or "pretense" depending on the specific context you're aiming for.

Is it correct to say "a smokescreen of lies"?

Yes, using "smokescreen" with "lies" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the deceptive nature of the information being presented. It suggests that the lies are intended to conceal a deeper truth.

What is the difference between "smokescreen" and "red herring"?

"Smokescreen" refers to something used to generally obscure or conceal, while a "red herring" is a specific type of distraction intended to divert attention from the central issue.