Smokescreen: meaning, definitions and examples

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smokescreen

 

[ ˈsməʊkskriːn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in military tactics

A smokescreen is a cloud of smoke created to disguise military operations, obstruct the enemy's view, or to provide cover for advancing troops.

Synonyms

concealment, cover, screen

Examples of usage

  • The tanks used a smokescreen to advance unnoticed.
  • The soldiers deployed a smokescreen to conceal their movements.
  • The enemy was caught off guard by the clever use of a smokescreen.
Context #2 | Noun

in a figurative sense

A smokescreen can also refer to something intended to obscure, conceal, or deceive, often used in a metaphorical sense.

Synonyms

cover-up, deception, distraction

Examples of usage

  • The politician's promises were just a smokescreen for his true intentions.
  • Don't let the distractions become a smokescreen for the real issues at hand.

Translations

Translations of the word "smokescreen" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cortina de fumaça

🇮🇳 धुएँ की परत

🇩🇪 Rauchwand

🇮🇩 layar asap

🇺🇦 димова завіса

🇵🇱 zasłona dymna

🇯🇵 煙幕 (えんまく)

🇫🇷 écran de fumée

🇪🇸 cortina de humo

🇹🇷 duman perdesi

🇰🇷 연막

🇸🇦 ستار الدخان

🇨🇿 kouřová clona

🇸🇰 dymová clona

🇨🇳 烟幕 (yānmù)

🇸🇮 dimna zavesa

🇮🇸 reykjarskjól

🇰🇿 түтін экраны

🇬🇪 ბოლის ფარდა

🇦🇿 tüstü pərdəsi

🇲🇽 cortina de humo

Etymology

The term 'smokescreen' originated in the early 20th century, derived from the military tactic of using smoke to conceal movement or objectives. It has since been adopted into everyday language to describe anything that obscures or distracts from the truth or reality of a situation.

See also: smog, smoke, smoked, smoking, smoky.