as in confuses
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
irrelevant matters that only serve to obfuscate the fundamental issue of guilt or innocence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obfuscates
Director Antonio Campos shoots this exchange in the shadows, a choice that only obfuscates this pivotal moment further.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Local students tend to know about the province’s nationalistic perspective, due to their high school curriculum, but this deliberately (and understandably) obfuscates the larger Canadian picture to try to foster a firmer attachment to Quebec’s language and culture.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Gating much of that control behind certain subscription tiers further obfuscates what’s possible.
—PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Local students tend to know about the province’s nationalistic perspective, due to their high school curriculum, but this deliberately (and understandably) obfuscates the larger Canadian picture to try to foster a firmer attachment to Quebec’s language and culture.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Gating much of that control behind certain subscription tiers further obfuscates what’s possible.
—PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obfuscates
Verb
-
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
-
An actress in 1962 Cuban, as its missiles crisis rages, confuses her role in a film and real life.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Drone warfare blurs traditional front lines The rapid spread of inexpensive drones has increasingly blurred traditional front lines, putting even rear-area bases at risk.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
But Hefty said that blurs the oversight executed by DERM.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obfuscates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obfuscates. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
