obfuscate
To deliberately make something unclear or difficult to understand
Examples
In a meeting
“The contract language seems designed to obfuscate the actual terms.”
Over coffee
“He tends to obfuscate the truth when he doesn't want to answer directly.”
Why this word
confuse
confuse means to make unclear, while obfuscate means to deliberately make something obscure or difficult to understand
obscure
obscure means to make unclear, while obfuscate implies intentionally making something confusing or unintelligible
complicate
complicate means to make complex, while obfuscate means to deliberately muddle or bewilder
Usage tip
Use when confusion is intentional, not accidental. Implies deception or avoidance through complexity.
Etymology
Latin 'obfuscare' from 'ob-' (over) + 'fuscare' (to darken)
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Related words
conflate
Combine two or more things into one, often incorrectly
equivocate
To use ambiguous language to avoid commitment or mislead
sophistry
Clever but misleading reasoning intended to deceive
mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
substantiate
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim.
alleviate
To make suffering, a problem, or a burden less severe.