Obfuscatory describes something that serves to obscure, confuse, or make something unclear. This often involves intentionally complicating a subject, using vague language, or employing deceptive tactics to make information difficult to understand. It can relate to writing, speech, policies, systems, or even behaviors that are deliberately designed to hide the truth or mislead someone. The purpose of obfuscation can range from avoiding transparency and accountability to protecting secrets or simply to delay decision-making by creating a cloud of uncertainty. The effectiveness of obfuscation relies on the ability to create ambiguity and create an environment where clarity is difficult to achieve.
Obfuscatory meaning with examples
- The lawyer's use of legal jargon was entirely obfuscatory, designed to confuse the jury and prevent them from understanding the simple facts of the case. He intentionally clouded the issue to win his client's favor through clever semantics. His language was a calculated attempt to hide his client's guilt under layers of confusing terms, leading to a misjudgment.
- The government's new policy contained complex and obfuscatory language that made it almost impossible for the average citizen to understand its implications. The complicated phrasing masked the intent to secretly change legislation and avoid public debate over its implementation.
- The programmer's deliberately obfuscatory code made it incredibly difficult for anyone else to understand or modify. He did it for job security, keeping others from maintaining his software.
- The politician's evasive answers during the press conference were purely obfuscatory; he spoke at length, yet revealed nothing substantive about his plans or decisions, deliberately maintaining ambiguity to dodge scrutiny.