obfuscate

verb

ob·fus·cate ˈäb-fə-ˌskāt

äb-ˈfə-ˌskāt,

əb-

obfuscated; obfuscating

Synonyms of obfuscate next

transitive verb

: to throw into shadow : darken

: to make obscure

obfuscate the issue

officials who … continue to obscure and obfuscate what happened—

Mary Carroll

: confuse

obfuscate the reader

intransitive verb

: to be evasive, unclear, or confusing

The suspect often obfuscated during the interrogation.

obfuscation

ˌäb-(ˌ)fə-ˈskā-shən

noun

obfuscatory

äb-ˈfə-skə-ˌtȯr-ē

əb-

adjective

Examples of obfuscate in a Sentence

Politicians keep obfuscating the issues. Their explanations only serve to obfuscate and confuse.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Allies of the former President sought to turn that certification—traditionally, a formality—into a chance for Congress to undo, delay, or obfuscate his loss. —

The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024 While Trump obfuscates and lies about his intentions in a second presidency, his choice of J.D. Vance tells the true story. —

Essence, 31 Oct. 2024 Critics say the focus on individual action can obfuscate accountability for the worst polluters, who also happen to be the wealthiest. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 This library has been obfuscated using the OLLVM tool. —

Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obfuscate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin obfuscātus, offuscātus, past participle of obfuscāre, offuscāre "to obscure, darken, depreciate," from Latin ob-, perfective prefix + -fuscāre, verbal derivative of fuscus "dark-colored, somber, dark-skinned or -complected" — more at ob-, dusk entry 1

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of obfuscate was in 1536

See more words from the same year