Obfuscation: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when information is deliberately made obscure or unclear, often to mislead.

• His speech was full of technical jargon, resulting in obfuscation of his real intentions

Refers to a state of being unsure or unclear about something, often due to lack of information or understanding.

• The sudden change in plans caused a lot of confusion among the team members

Describes something that is not well-known or is difficult to understand because of complexity or ambiguity.

• The old manuscript remained in obscurity for centuries until it was discovered by an archaeologist

Occurs when something is made mysterious or puzzling, typically to intrigue or baffle.

• The magician's tricks created an air of mystification among the audience

This word is used when someone makes something unclear or difficult to understand, often deliberately to confuse or deceive.

• The technical jargon in the report was a clear case of obfuscation.
• The politician's answers were full of obfuscation, making it hard to determine the truth.

This term is used when someone avoids giving a direct answer or dodges a question, often to avoid responsibility or difficult issues.

• His evasion of the question only made him look more suspicious.
• The CEO's evasion during the interview didn't instill much confidence.

This word applies when someone uses ambiguous language or speaks in a way that is intentionally vague, so that people can interpret their words in different ways.

• Her equivocation on the issue left the reporters frustrated.
• The company's statements about the product recall were pure equivocation.

Prevarication is used when someone tells a lie or is not straightforward. It often involves avoiding the truth by speaking in a misleading or ambiguous manner. It usually has a negative connotation.

• The witness's prevarication was obvious to everyone in the courtroom.
• He was known for his prevarication, never giving a straight answer.

Best used in formal or technical settings, particularly in discussions about making something intentionally unclear or complicated.

• The politician's speech was full of obfuscation, making it hard to understand his actual stance.
• In cybersecurity, obfuscation techniques are used to protect sensitive data.

Suitable for everyday language when describing a state of being puzzled or disoriented. Often used to describe a mental state.

• There was a lot of confusion about the new office policy.
• Her directions led to more confusion than clarity.

Typically used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the act of making something obscure or less visible.

• The obscuration of the stars by the city’s lights made stargazing difficult.
• The report suffered from the excessive obscuration of important data.

Commonly used in informal contexts, often describing a state of disorder or when someone is handling things in a confused way.

• He spent the day muddling through paperwork without making much progress.
• She's just muddling along without a clear plan.