obfuscatory

adjective

Definition of obfuscatorynext
as in incomprehensible

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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
  • War of the Worlds fuses post-9/11 paranoia and the terror of parenting to create one of Spielberg’s most thrilling blockbusters with a dark, genuinely scary atmosphere of ordinary people being wiped out by incomprehensible tragedy.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Farnaby’s character, a thickly-accented and mostly-incomprehensible farmer, was, of course, called Barry.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of incomprehensible
Adjective
  • Roman’s catalog of galaxies will help scientists ascertain how quickly the universe is expanding due to these puzzling, unseen forces.
    — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Doeding also plans to host events like speed puzzling and pre-release card game experiences.
    — Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Occasionally, there is a vague resignation, but direct accountability is rare.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Find the point where judgment disappeared, ownership became vague or an old instruction remained available after its context changed.
    — Mani Padisetti, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • In crucial moments the music fleetingly becomes mysterious, even ominous, with minor-key harmonies and a twisting vocal turn doubled by the bass line of the piano part.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These three mysterious elements of the cosmos have played a vital role in the evolution of large-scale cosmic structures like galaxies and galaxy clusters.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • The film fails to convey the fearsome, inexplicable beauty that Herzog clearly sees (or perhaps once saw) in this story.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • What will happen to the stage where Elvis’s swiveling pelvis was kept demurely out of frame, where the Beatles made their American debut, where Jackie Mason may or may not have flipped the bird at the host, where Topo Gigio found inexplicable fame?
    — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of inexplicable
Adjective
  • That standard still holds for his frequent barrages of boasts, insults, threats, grouses and indecipherable dispatches via Truth Social.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Tubman is all but indecipherable, roughly limned with white paint and covered by red, black, and yellow smudges and drips.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of indecipherable
Adjective
  • Now, to be clear, nightclubs like Basement have a longstanding subjective — and often nebulous — criteria for who gets in, and anyone dorky enough to show up to one wearing Meta glasses almost certainly wouldn’t make the cut anyway.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The culture fit piece is perhaps more nebulous but equally important, and while Orgeron fit LSU like a glove, Kelly stuck out like a sore thumb.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of nebulous
Adjective
  • Last month, Vance hurled himself into an obscure debate over burrito prices to make a gratuitous swipe at a conservative Washington Post columnist’s weight.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Beneath the cringe internet overshare was a welcome indication that the vaginal microbiome has finally moved from an obscure area of medical research into mainstream conversation.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscure

Browse Nearby Words

obfuscating
obfuscatory
ob-gyn
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Cite this Entry

“Obfuscatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obfuscatory. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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