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Obfuscate: meaning, definitions and examples

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obfuscate

 

[ əˈbʌfskeɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in coding

To make code or data intentionally unintelligible or obscure in order to prevent unauthorized access or understanding.

Synonyms

conceal, encode, encrypt, mask.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obfuscate

Used when making something unclear or difficult to understand, often intentionally to confuse people. It has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The lawyer's jargon seemed designed to obfuscate the issue.
  • He obfuscated the instructions to prevent his competitors from easily copying them.
encrypt

Used specifically in the context of converting information into a secure format to prevent unauthorized access. It is related to data security and privacy.

  • It is crucial to encrypt sensitive data before sending it.
  • The files were encrypted to protect important company information.
encode

Used when converting information or data into a particular form, especially to prevent unauthorized access.

  • Messages are often encoded to ensure privacy.
  • Can you encode this text for the computer system?
mask

Used when covering something to protect it, hide it, or disguise it.

  • The superhero masked his identity to protect his loved ones.
  • She masked her true feelings with a smile.
conceal

Used when hiding something from sight or keeping information secret.

  • She tried to conceal her disappointment.
  • The suspect was found trying to conceal evidence.

Examples of usage

  • Developers often obfuscate their code to protect intellectual property.
  • Obfuscating sensitive data can help enhance security measures.
  • The company used obfuscation techniques to hide their encryption algorithm.

Etymology

The word 'obfuscate' originated from the Latin word 'obfuscare', which means 'to darken' or 'to obscure'. In the context of coding, obfuscation techniques have been used for years to protect software from reverse engineering or tampering.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,294, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.