Obfuscate

Meaning

To render something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible; to deliberately confuse or conceal the truth.

Origin / Etymology

Latin obfuscare (to darken), from ob- (over) + fuscare (to make dark), from fuscus (dark)

Synonyms

Obscure Muddy Confuse

Antonyms

Clarify Illuminate Explain

Example Sentence

"Critics argued that the complex tiered GST structure with multiple slabs served to obfuscate the actual tax burden on consumers rather than simplify the indirect tax regime."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Use in GS2 Governance and GS4 Ethics answers when discussing lack of transparency in policy implementation, opaque bureaucratic language, or deliberate information suppression. Effective in answers on RTI, accountability, and citizen-state relations.

Relevant Subjects