Definition

The act of making something unclear or difficult to understand, often intentionally, to confuse or mislead.

Example

The obfuscation of the report made it hard for the team to understand the main issues.

Conversation

Did you notice how the politician's speech was full of obfuscation?

Yeah, it was hard to understand what they really meant.

Exactly! I prefer clear communication over all that confusion.

Same here, it just makes everything more complicated.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Obfuscation → It is formed from "ob-" (meaning against or over) and "fuscus" (meaning dark). The word describes the act of making something unclear or darkening it, thus obscuring understanding.

Memory Tip

Think of something being made 'dark' or 'unclear' ('fuscus') when it is 'over' or 'against' understanding ('ob-'). This helps you remember that obfuscation means to make something confusing or hard to understand.

Visually Confused Words