Fuzziness: meaning, definitions and examples

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fuzziness

 

[ ˈfʌziˌnəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in computing

The quality of being easy to fuzz or fuzz test, that is, the ability of a system to handle invalid, unexpected, or random data inputs without crashing.

Synonyms

flexibility, resilience, robustness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fuzziness

When describing something that is vague, unclear, or lacks precision. This can often have a negative connotation when clarity is important.

  • The fuzziness of the image made it hard to distinguish any details.
  • There is some fuzziness in the regulations that need to be clarified.
robustness

When describing strength, durability, and the ability to withstand tough conditions without breaking down. This can apply to both physical objects and abstract systems.

  • The robustness of the new smartphone means it can withstand drops and other impacts.
  • The software's robustness ensures it runs smoothly under heavy traffic.
resilience

When highlighting the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, stress, or adversity, showing strength and perseverance.

  • Her resilience after the accident was truly inspiring.
  • The community showed great resilience in rebuilding after the flood.
flexibility

When referring to the ability to adapt to new conditions or changes easily, whether in physical, mental, or organizational contexts.

  • The job requires a high degree of flexibility since tasks can change frequently.
  • Yoga can improve your physical flexibility.

Examples of usage

  • Software developers need to consider fuzziness when designing and testing their programs.
  • Fuzziness can help identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a system.
Context #2 | Noun

in psychology

The state of feeling confused or unable to think clearly, often associated with anxiety or stress.

Synonyms

confusion, muddle, uncertainty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fuzziness

Often used to describe something that is not clear or lacks sharpness, both in a literal and figurative sense. It can refer to unclear memories, images, or concepts.

  • The photograph had a certain fuzziness, making it hard to see the details.
  • There's some fuzziness in my recollection of that night.
confusion

Used to describe a state of being bewildered or unclear in mind. It often implies a lack of understanding or the mixing up of different things.

  • He felt a lot of confusion when trying to solve the math problem.
  • The new policy created confusion among the employees.
uncertainty

Refers to a lack of certainty or sureness about someone’s knowledge or prediction of an event or result. It often involves doubt and the inability to predict outcomes clearly.

  • The uncertainty of the weather made planning the picnic difficult.
  • She spoke with uncertainty about her future career plans.
muddle

Describes a disorganized or messy state. Often it implies a mix-up or disorder that is hard to straighten out, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation.

  • She always seems to find herself in a muddle with her paperwork.
  • The instructions were not clear, and it left everyone in a muddle.

Examples of usage

  • Her mind was clouded with fuzziness, making it difficult to make decisions.
  • The fuzziness in his thoughts prevented him from focusing on the task at hand.

Translations

Translations of the word "fuzziness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imprecisão

🇮🇳 अस्पष्टता

🇩🇪 Unschärfe

🇮🇩 ketidakjelasan

🇺🇦 нечіткість

🇵🇱 nieostrość

🇯🇵 ぼやけ

🇫🇷 flou

🇪🇸 desenfoque

🇹🇷 bulanıklık

🇰🇷 흐릿함

🇸🇦 غموض

🇨🇿 nejasnost

🇸🇰 nejasnosť

🇨🇳 模糊

🇸🇮 nejasnost

🇮🇸 óskýrleiki

🇰🇿 бұлдырлық

🇬🇪 გაურკვევლობა

🇦🇿 qeyri-müəyyənlik

🇲🇽 desenfoque

Etymology

The word 'fuzziness' originated from the term 'fuzzy', which means lacking clarity or definition. In computing, the concept of fuzziness became popular with the development of fuzz testing techniques to improve software security. In psychology, fuzziness is often used to describe a state of mental confusion or lack of clarity. The term has evolved to encompass a range of meanings across different fields.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,216 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.