Meaning & use
obfuscate
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitiveformaldisapproving
To make something harder to understand or see clearly, usually on purpose.
Grammar: Often takes an object: obfuscate the facts; can be used alone: officials obfuscate.
Patterns
- obfuscate something
- obfuscate the issue
The company tried to obfuscate the real cost with confusing charts.
Politicians often obfuscate when asked direct questions.
Dense legal language can obfuscate the meaning of a contract.
verbtransitivecomputingtechnical
In computing, to change code so that it works but is very hard for people to read.
Grammar: Takes an object: obfuscate the source code.
Patterns
- obfuscate code
Developers obfuscate their code to deter copying.
The malware author obfuscated the script.
The tool obfuscates variable names automatically.
Word forms
| third person singular | obfuscates |
|---|---|
| past tense | obfuscated |
| past participle | obfuscated |
| -ing form | obfuscating |
Common combinations
- obfuscate the truth
- The report seemed designed to obfuscate the truth.
- deliberately obfuscate
- The spokesman deliberately obfuscated the details.
- obfuscate the issue
- Don't obfuscate the issue with technical terms.
- obfuscate the facts
- Statistics were used to obfuscate the facts.
- obfuscate code
- Some apps obfuscate code for security.
Synonyms and how they differ
- obscure
- Obscure can happen by accident, while obfuscate suggests deliberate muddying.
- confuse
- Confuse is a plain everyday word and need not involve any intention.
- muddy
- Muddy is informal and figurative, as in muddying the waters, and sounds less formal than obfuscate.
- cloud
- Cloud suggests making something less clear, but it is gentler and less accusing.
Opposites
Word family
- obfuscation noun
- the act of making something unclear
- obfuscatory adjective
- tending to obfuscate
- obfuscated adjective
- made unclear
- obfuscator noun
- a person or tool that obfuscates
Commonly confused: obfuscate or obfuscate/confuse?
obfuscate vs obfuscate/confuse
Confuse can be accidental, but obfuscate is almost always deliberate.
Practice
The spokesperson used jargon to ___ the real reason for the delay.
Choose one answer.
Obfuscate means deliberately make unclear. Illuminate and clarify mean the opposite, and announce does not fit the sense of hiding.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “obfuscate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.