blur 1 of 2

verb

Definition of blurnext
1
as in to confuse
to make (something) unclear to the understanding an article for the layman that blurs the distinction between the two kinds of cholesterol

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct evening shadows blurred the view of the valley from the overlook

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blur

2 of 2

noun

as in taint

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blur
Verb
Instead of true invisibility, the drone dissolves into a faint, ghostly blur that blends into whatever is behind it. — New Atlas, 17 July 2026 Instead of blurring them, those patches became more noticeable. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Noun
Dane says the past couple of years have been a blur but that the reception — especially from home — has been invigorating. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026 Interestingly, this motion blur transforms the drone into a faint, semi-transparent smudge that blends into its surroundings rather than achieving total invisibility. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for blur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blur
  1. confuse
  2. obscure
  3. taint
  4. muddy
  5. darken
  6. stain
  7. obfuscate
  8. dim
Verb
  • The Blazers say a handshake agreement with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city and the county was made in March, and are confused why there has been a shift.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The figure who experiences every prompt to begin the process as a threat rather than a relief has confused the cause with the self.
    — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Gros Morne National Park combines relatively dark skies with the deepest eclipse in eastern North America, with nearly half of the sun obscured at maximum.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2026
  • Severely nearsighted, Isul wore eyeglasses with thick plastic lenses, which obscured her lovely, small eyes.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of obscure
Noun
  • The prosecutor’s subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.
    — Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • By letting in external sounds, even faint ones like car traffic, the buds can muddy the subtleties of a diverse orchestra.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026
  • Even though Democrats broadly agree on key economic issues, there is concern that the positions held by more leftist candidates could muddy their overall message.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 July 2026
Definition of muddy
Verb
  • As a makeup product, it can be used as a primer, highlighter, bronzer, foundation shade adjuster (pick a shade to darken or lighten a complexion product that’s a little bit off), and even a skin tint thanks to its sheer but transformative pigment.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 July 2026
  • The Hapsburg Inspector General, the equivalent of the food inspector darkening the doorway of a scummy restaurant?
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of darken
Noun
  • And some tree fruits, such as mulberries and cherries, can leave stains on siding, roofs, and decks that are difficult to remove.
    — Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
  • Remove Mold Stains From Painted Walls Kill mold spores and lighten moldy stains by spraying the area with undiluted hydrogen peroxide.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 July 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • In Eddington, Aster examines the absurdity of our present moment, further obfuscated by its mediation through screens.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • Instead, Cubans turn to the internet, reading abroad what their government obfuscates or denies at home.
    — Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 9 July 2026
Definition of obfuscate
Verb
  • Most were found while passing in front of their star, briefly dimming it.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Come nighttime, La Plaza, the resort’s open courtyard resembling a town square, dims the lights and turns up the volume to the beats of international DJs.
    — Jennifer Fernández Solano, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of dim

Browse Nearby Words

blunts
blur
blurb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blur. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on blur

Nglish: Translation of blur for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All