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

Robots may threaten ordinary human interactions while obfuscating what it means to be human.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Like some previous videos released by the US government, a section of the boat is obfuscated for unspecified reasons.

Read more on Barron's

While Ferguson gets ample time to obfuscate, other, better scholars get little time to squeeze in some truth.

Read more on Salon

“The strength in megacap tech has obfuscated what appears to be increasing signs of weakness through much of the real economy,” said Bob Elliott, chief executive at Unlimited funds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is the latest of Wall Street’s never-ending efforts to hide, complicate and obfuscate fees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal