1
as in concealing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blurring
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
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Recent Examples of obscuring
Ror all its strengths, Muskism’s account of the rise and influence of its protagonist is one squarely focused on ideology, obscuring the broader political and economic forces working behind the scenes.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Records provided to The Star about the Alpha Tau Omega case were heavily redacted, obscuring the specific allegations against fraternity members.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
To glean clues about her birth family, Valentine held the note up to the light, peering through the obscuring markings.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
The makers have recently listened to community feedback and added a transparent dust-collecting front guide module to keeps drill debris contained in the unit without obscuring your view.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Hadid kept her accessories monochromatic and simple, partially obscuring her face with a pair of oversized dark brown sunglasses and adding a brown leather skinny belt around her hips.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026
To make your windows sparkle, make sure there are no smudges obscuring the spring sunlight.
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Thick or layered clouds can violate flight rules by obscuring visibility and increasing the risk of lightning strikes triggered by the rocket’s ascent.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The rise of high-frequency trading convinced us that everything is priced in instantly, obscuring pockets of friction.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Records provided to The Star about the Alpha Tau Omega case were heavily redacted, obscuring the specific allegations against fraternity members.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
To glean clues about her birth family, Valentine held the note up to the light, peering through the obscuring markings.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
The makers have recently listened to community feedback and added a transparent dust-collecting front guide module to keeps drill debris contained in the unit without obscuring your view.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Hadid kept her accessories monochromatic and simple, partially obscuring her face with a pair of oversized dark brown sunglasses and adding a brown leather skinny belt around her hips.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026
To make your windows sparkle, make sure there are no smudges obscuring the spring sunlight.
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Thick or layered clouds can violate flight rules by obscuring visibility and increasing the risk of lightning strikes triggered by the rocket’s ascent.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The rise of high-frequency trading convinced us that everything is priced in instantly, obscuring pockets of friction.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obscuring
Verb
-
William Scott Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, Rhode Island faces four charges, which include conspiracy, disorderly conduct, shoplifting by concealing merchandise and interfering with a police officer.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Misprision of felony involves someone knowing a felony was committed, and concealing it and failing to report it to authorities as soon as possible.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is a unique move from a smartphone maker, blurring the lines between mobile device and a professional lens system.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His many credits include performances with the New York Philharmonic, pioneering minimalist composer Philip Glass, genre-blurring singer Cecile McLorin Salvant, drum dynamo Tyshawn Sorey and such past and present jazz sax powerhouses as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath and Branford Marsalis.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hospital surveillance footage captured Talley pointing the gun at the room where the technician was hiding, Pekara said, before starting to make his way out of the building.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
After a search of the area, police located both suspects, who police said are teenagers, hiding nearby and took both into custody.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The industry is grappling with these logistical hurdles against a backdrop of darkening economic sentiment.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The economist Adam Posen on the effect of the war in Iran on the world’s economy and the darkening economic outlook for the United States.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their station Y’Allternative will also be covering the festival on Sunday.—
Katie Simons,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Before the Hill, Cusack was a reporter and editor for Inside Washington Publishers, covering the Labor Department and the Department of Health and Human Services.—
Bob Cusack,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s according to Brian London, president of the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association, who argues that misunderstandings and misplaced priorities are clouding the reality of how textile waste is actually managed today.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Development sends runoff into bays, further clouding the water.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nathaniel Jaymoni Urbeaz, 22, of Dedham, Massachusetts was charged with conspiracy, disguising to obstruct justice, disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
On his last day before he’s scheduled to ride off on his motorcycle for a three-month sabbatical that’s only barely disguising his suicidal ideation, Robby spends his final shift lashing out at his co-workers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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These tungsten atoms would then condense on the slightly cooler inside of the glass bulb, blackening it and dimming the light over time.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obscuring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obscuring. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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