Obfuscate

verb (transitive)

/ˈɒbfʌskeɪt/

To deliberately make something unclear, obscure, or difficult to understand, typically in order to confuse, mislead, or conceal the truth.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Successive governments have tended to obfuscate the true fiscal cost of populist subsidies by routing them through off-budget borrowings, thereby blunting the legislature's power to scrutinise public expenditure.

Synonyms

obscuremuddleconfusecloudbefogbewilder

Antonyms

clarifyelucidateilluminatesimplify

🌱 Word Family

obfuscate (v.), obfuscation (n.), obfuscatory (adj.), obfuscating (v. pres.p), obfuscated (adj.)

🔡 Root

Latin ob- = over, against + fuscare = to make dark; fuscus = dark-coloured; obfuscare = to darken

📜 Etymology

From Latin obfuscare "to darken, obscure," from ob- "over, against" + fuscare "to make dark" (from fuscus "dark-coloured"); entered English in the 1530s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think "ob- + fuscus (dark)" — to cast a FUSS of darkness OVER something so no one can see it clearly. The root fuscus also survives in "fuscous" (dusky brown).

🧭 Ethics & Integrity 📖 Seen in: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude — Complet...

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