obfuscatory

adjective

Definition of obfuscatorynext
as in incomprehensible

Related Words

Relevance

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 obfuscatory High tide has an obfuscatory effect. — Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obfuscatory
  1. incomprehensible
  2. puzzling
  3. vague
  4. mysterious
  5. inexplicable
  6. indecipherable
  7. nebulous
  8. obscure
Adjective
  • Here are three stars that appear neatly connected overhead, but in reality, one is separated by an incomprehensible distance.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 24 July 2026
  • By that point, almost five minutes down on yellow jersey Tadej Pogačar, the Tour may already have been done — save for an incomprehensible effort over Alpe d’Huez, or misfortune to Pogacar himself.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of incomprehensible
Adjective
  • The wording of the agreement was a bit puzzling, since the Algerian national team held its base camp at the University of Kansas’ facilities in Lawrence — where the deepest connections were forged between the team and a local community.
    — PJ Green July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • Researchers hope the effort may yield clues about dark matter as well as an equally puzzling force known as dark energy.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Perhaps in an attempt to recognize the regulatory environment, the letter is notably careful and slightly vague in its language.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Second, rather than vague commitments to pacing, double down on safety and security investments.
    — Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • Then there’s the new, mysterious character played by Sadie Sink, introducing a major element of MCU lore that has very little to do with Spider-Man.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • And after a few days of searching, law enforcement received a mysterious eyewitness tip.
    — Dateline NBC, NBC news, 30 July 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Fans rightfully mocked the dancing cars mounted on robot arms that played during an inexplicable diversion on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour.
    — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026
  • They were shocked by their inexplicable sloppiness, by a flop that not a single one of them could answer for.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of inexplicable
Adjective
  • That shape, whose contour resembles both an indecipherable ideogram and a flat asymmetrical spaceship, shows Parsons’s inventive side.
    — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026
  • One of the most exciting uses of AI has to be helping historians and archaeologists decipher previously indecipherable or untranslatable ancient texts.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Definition of indecipherable
Adjective
  • For reasons that are, at best, hazy, Lonnie had a meltdown of some amorphous type that had some sort of non-specific impact on his overall psyche, leaving him stuck in a nebulous rut.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
  • The theatrical angle is a bit more nebulous and weaker, Seilie argues.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
Definition of nebulous
Adjective
  • Perhaps that’s what led to one Manchester United fan to start what must be one of the most obscure player songs in the club’s terrace songbook.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The article warns that such high valuations, lacking public financial transparency, obscure true value.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of obscure

Browse Nearby Words

obfuscating
obfuscatory
ob-gyn
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obfuscatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obfuscatory. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
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 comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All