Smokescreen Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💨

Add to dictionary

smokescreen

[ˈsməʊkskriːn ]

Definitions

^{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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
smokescreen	This word is often used to describe something that is meant to distract or hide the true intentions or nature of someone's actions. It generally has a negative connotation. The politician's speech was just a smokescreen to divert attention from the real issues. The company used the charity event as a smokescreen to mask its environmental violations.
screen	This term can refer to something that serves as a barrier or filter, both physically and metaphorically. It does not inherently carry a negative connotation. The tall plants acted as a screen, providing privacy from the neighbors. She used her cheerful demeanor as a screen to hide her true feelings.
cover	This word is versatile and can be used in many contexts, such as providing physical shelter, protection, or even a pretext to disguise activities. It does not necessarily have a negative connotation. They used the trees as cover from the enemy fire. The undercover agent needed a convincing cover story to blend in.
concealment	This term is used when something is deliberately hidden or kept from being discovered. It is often used in formal or legal contexts. The concealment of evidence could lead to serious legal consequences. The spy's skills in concealment were unsurpassed.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
smokescreen	Used when someone wants to hide the truth or their real intentions. Often used in politics or strategy to mislead others. The company launched a new product as a smokescreen to divert attention from their financial losses
deception	Used to describe the act of deliberately making someone believe something that is not true. It has a clear negative connotation. Her deception was revealed when her lies about her qualifications came to light
cover-up	Refers to efforts made to hide mistakes, dishonest actions, or illegal activities. Usually implies an attempt to keep something immoral or unethical secret. The government was accused of orchestrating a cover-up to hide the misconduct of several officials
distraction	Describes an action or event that draws attention away from something else. It does not necessarily imply any intention to deceive. The loud construction noise outside served as a distraction during the important meeting

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

In films and literature, 'smokescreen' is often used metaphorically to describe plots where characters hide their real intentions.
Songs and poetry often refer to the concept of using a 'smokescreen' to convey themes of deception and misunderstanding.

Psychology

In psychology, the concept of a 'smokescreen' can relate to defense mechanisms where individuals conceal their true feelings.
The use of deceptive language or behavior can act as a smokescreen to protect oneself from vulnerability.

Science

In environmental science, a smokescreen can refer to the use of smoke particles to study air quality and pollution dispersal.
Researchers often study how smokescreens created by wildfires impact climate and local ecosystems.

Marketing

In marketing, companies sometimes create a smokescreen by focusing on attractive features to distract from negative aspects of a product.
Advertisers may use flashy campaigns that serve as a smokescreen for underlying issues, such as poor customer service.

Origin of 'smokescreen'

Main points about word origin

The term 'smokescreen' originated in military contexts during World War I, referring to smoke used to obscure movement and operations.
Originally, it described a method of protecting troops from enemy sight by deploying smoke grenades.

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.