Garble

To garble is to reproduce or report (information, a statement, etc.) in a confused, distorted, or unintelligible way, typically due to errors, omissions, or deliberate misrepresentation. It involves altering or corrupting something, making it unclear or difficult to understand, often by mixing it up or changing its original form. The result is a corrupted version of the initial input, meaning its true intent or meaning is obscured. The act of garbling can be unintentional, resulting from poor transmission or understanding, or intentional, intended to mislead or deceive.

Garble meaning with examples

• The radio broadcast was filled with static, causing the announcer to garble the scores. Listeners struggled to decipher which team had won or even what sport they were playing. The distorted audio made it almost impossible to glean any accurate information. The poor transmission turned a simple report into an exercise in frustration for everyone tuned in, all because the signal was damaged.
• During the phone call, the interference caused the witness's testimony to be garbled, preventing the jury from understanding critical details. The lawyer found himself having to ask the witness to repeat key statements. The loss of clarity significantly hindered the case's progression. The communication failure meant a chance for clear answers was lost, as the message was jumbled beyond recognition.
• The journalist was accused of intentionally garbling the politician's speech to paint him in a negative light. By taking words out of context and rephrasing certain parts, the journalist managed to twist the original meaning. The public then got a skewed version of the politicians stance. This use caused considerable public backlash against the journalist's ethics.
• After the accident, the driver's statement was garbled due to his concussion. He couldn't recall the events clearly and mixed up the timeline, providing the police with a distorted account. His confusion led to misinformation about what had taken place. The police needed to piece the details back together. It delayed the whole investigation with a false account.