BLUR Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

blur 1 of 2

verb

Definition of blur

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

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

The airy texture of the powder adds to the soft-focus effect, blurring pores and fine lines in a few quick sweeps—a no-brainer finishing touch for any makeup look. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026 As tensions rise and boundaries begin to blur, their grandmother’s frail presence takes on an increasingly disturbing quality, turning a once-idyllic summer into a haunting passage into adulthood. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

Its blazing 165-hertz refresh rate and 1ms response time team up with AMD FreeSync to wipe out motion blur, screen tearing, and input lag. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 The following set-and-a-half passed in a blur of Alcaraz errors, 17 of them unforced in the second set alone, against just eight winners. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blur

Verb

But the decision left many in the football community confused, with an online petition started by alumnus Tim Hanrahan garnering more than 3,000 signatures.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
This is where things get messy, and many folks — oligarchs in particular — become invested in keeping the general voter confused.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

What’s at issue is collateral damage, a term that came into use during the Vietnam War to obscure, through abstraction, that masses of civilians were being systematically blown to pieces.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
The poster also obscured the system’s dynamic tracking accuracy.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of obscure

Noun

Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
On top of worrying about making great wine, European producers will now have to mitigate against smoke taint, save their grapes from frost, and consider how to future-proof vineyards in a rapidly changing climate.

— Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026

Definition of taint

Verb

That came in the form of both Lawrence pushing the pocket to muddy Mayfield’s ability to step up and Mafe screaming around the edge, having blown past right tackle Luke Goedeke.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
And Treasury’s bond-market intervention might have muddied market signals, so Warsh can credibly argue for time.

— Liz Rappaport, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of muddy

Verb

Add kale and cook, stirring often, until darkened in color and very tender, 7–9 minutes (garlic will break into even smaller pieces).

— Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Pour in the tomato puree, mix gently, partially cover, and cook until the puree darkens and thickens and has mostly been absorbed by the rice, about 3 minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of darken

Verb

We have been taught that such a system is too complex to dismantle, but it has been made complex to obfuscate the most obvious fact imaginable, which is that there is no justification, ever, for denying a sick person care.

— Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
Throughout the history of the game, as concerned parties sought evidence, some of football’s most powerful protectors obfuscated the problem.

— Emily Harrison, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of obfuscate

Browse Nearby Words

blunts

blur

blurb

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Style

“Blur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blur. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of blur

verb

noun

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