obfuscate

[ob-fuh-skeyt, ob-fuhs-keyt]

verb (used with object)

obfuscated, obfuscating 

1. to make unclear or hard to understand, especially deliberately.

   Do not obfuscate the issue with irrelevant detail.

   Synonyms: muddy, cloud

2. to confuse or bewilder.

   The authors achieve their purpose without obfuscating the reader by using too much technical terminology.

   Synonyms: perplex, muddle
   Antonyms: illuminate, clarify

3. to darken.

verb (used without object)

obfuscated, obfuscating 

1. to make something unclear or hard to understand, especially deliberately; speak or write evasively or obscurely.

   Notice how she obfuscates when asked directly about her conversations with the defendant.

obfuscate

/ ˈɒbfʌsˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to obscure or darken

2. to perplex or bewilder

Other Word Forms

• obfuscation noun
• obfuscatory adjective
• unobfuscated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obfuscate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin obfuscātus “darkened,” past participle of obfuscāre “to darken,” from Latin ob- ob- + fusc(us) “dark” + -āre, infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of obfuscate¹

C16: from Latin ob- (intensive) + fuscāre to blacken, from fuscus dark

Example Sentences

“This was treason. They tried to steal the election, they tried to obfuscate the election. They did things that nobody’s ever imagined, even in other countries.”

From Salon

Right-wing media is also playing its part to obfuscate and distract on behalf of negligent GOP governance.

From Salon

“Edison obfuscated the truth by making false and misleading statements concerning its role in the fire,” the lawsuit claims.

From Los Angeles Times

And so they're kind of deliberately obfuscating what the court's order is in order to serve their legal interest in the case.

From Salon

In court documents, Mr Garcia's lawyers accused the US government of trying to "delay, obfuscate and flout court orders, while a man's life and safety is at risk".

From BBC