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

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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
The Vancouver band combines music and sound collage with performance art, blurring the personal and political while explicitly addressing gender, violence, and militancy. — Sarah Moroz, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2026 Her investigation uncovers a surreal hidden world inside the school, where dreams and waking life have started to blur. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Noun
However, proving this experimentally has been notoriously difficult because the energy rungs in most materials blur together. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 The chemical formula also contains silica and silicone powders to absorb excess oil and blur shine—a nice bonus for shiny T-zones. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 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
  • Nearly all of the 70,000-plus fans in attendance — even the half of the stadium that was wearing Denver Broncos orange — were confused.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Neither party should confuse a vote with a lifetime commitment.
    — Jose M. Muñoz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • As light mist obscured the far-off Chicago skyline, only the faint sounds of metal cranes clanging and construction vehicles beeping in the distance broke up the quiet morning at Park 566 in South Shore.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The result is enough glare remaining to obscure a planet, but Wang and colleagues developed a new approach to this problem.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of obscure
Noun
  • The company has previously harvested grapes that could not be made into wine following wildfire smoke-taint, including from Cates’ own vineyard.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of taint
Verb
  • The running back room in Denver was muddied last week with the return of fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That penchant for scoring first in matches is another unsustainable quirk muddying Chelsea’s statistical waters.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of muddy
Verb
  • Again, some are pretty obvious—wide-angle broadens the lens's view, Vignette darkens the edges, and Soft Focus captures glowing, ethereal pictures.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This approach offers a bold personal statement without overwhelming or darkening the entire room.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of darken
Noun
  • The metals in coins can oxidize, leaving stains on the marble that are difficult to clean.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Inside, yellow sulfur stains bleed into red, green, blue, and orange mineral deposits.
    — Avantika Chaturvedi, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • Sherman’s troops, divided into two wings to obfuscate their final destination, would travel light.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Or are Waititi and co-writer Dahvi Waller deliberately obfuscating as some kind of middle finger to the audience?
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of obfuscate
Verb
  • As the house lights dimmed and the din of French gossip died down, we were treated to a gorgeous flute solo that surprisingly transformed into a beatbox performance, by a 15-year-old.
    — Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2026
  • While the production has remained one of the stronger Broadway shows, the weekly tallies have dimmed considerably since its peak performances last year, when the musical often grossed well above the $1 million mark.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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