1
as in conceals
to keep secret or shut off from view
the investigative reporters obscured their real motives for visiting the company by pretending the story was about something else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blurs
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
when it isn't obscured by smog, the view of the city from the observatory can be spectacular
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 obscures
But despite the new program’s promising rhetoric, the scientific framing of the announcement obscures a deeper policy problem.
—
Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Rather than scrolling, people are reading of the mist that obscures Yorkshire moors and its inhabitants’ judgments.
—Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Unlike body composition metrics, BMI obscures the true extent of metabolic dysfunction and cannot distinguish between muscle and fat — or between superficial fat and the visceral fat that drives diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.
—Bret Scher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
But that producing résumé obscures the kind of movie Ratner himself tends to make.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
By centering evidence over algorithms, VetEvince creates a space where technology amplifies skill rather than obscures it.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The chaos and controversy obscures positive developments that are occurring in Broward schools every day.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Amarnath told Fortune the political rhetoric around reshoring often obscures the reality facing manufacturers operating in the present tense.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Corporate landlords and investment firms own less than 5% of the nation’s 87 million homes, according to BatchData, though that fraction is growing and obscures bigger footholds in local markets.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Rather than scrolling, people are reading of the mist that obscures Yorkshire moors and its inhabitants’ judgments.
—Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Unlike body composition metrics, BMI obscures the true extent of metabolic dysfunction and cannot distinguish between muscle and fat — or between superficial fat and the visceral fat that drives diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.
—Bret Scher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
But that producing résumé obscures the kind of movie Ratner himself tends to make.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
By centering evidence over algorithms, VetEvince creates a space where technology amplifies skill rather than obscures it.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The chaos and controversy obscures positive developments that are occurring in Broward schools every day.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Amarnath told Fortune the political rhetoric around reshoring often obscures the reality facing manufacturers operating in the present tense.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Corporate landlords and investment firms own less than 5% of the nation’s 87 million homes, according to BatchData, though that fraction is growing and obscures bigger footholds in local markets.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscures
Verb
-
From Callum Turner‘s cheekbones and Fanning’s wide eyes to Keough’s legs and Lukas Gage’s curls, beauty strikes at every turn, yet barely conceals the barbs and thorns such looks envelop here.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The portrait of a woman who represses and conceals a rape struck a chord as the #MeToo movement took off and put Trobisch on the map.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The illuminating skin tint instantly blurs and brightens my complexion and leaves behind a soft-focus glow—almost as if my skin were an IRL filter.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Apple also pointed to a feature the company offers called Communication Safety that warns children and blurs the image when nudity is detected while receiving or attempting to send content and displays a warning.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s Manny, Zitzs and EZ, who has a way with the girls; Izzy, an abused boy who hides his family’s secrets, and Gloria, as good at sports as the boys and so fierce nobody teases her little sister about her stutter.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Where To Store Your Toilet Brush Most toilet brushes come with a compact holder that neatly hides them away.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The $49 destination fee covers a lot.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Foro Penal, which keeps tabs on imprisoned dissidents and regime opponents, estimates that nearly 400 detainees will not benefit, noting the law covers only a 13-year period of the 27 years of Chavismo.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Poulin’s exit overshadows Canada win After Poulin exited, her team responded with a rush of goals.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Poulin’s exit overshadows Canada win After Poulin exited, her team responded with a rush of goals.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This reduces carbon reactivity and suppresses side reactions during high-voltage cycling.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The brief court appearance focused on extending a gag order that suppresses the identities of victims and survivors of the attack who have not chosen to identify themselves publicly.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscures. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
