BLUR Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

blur 1 of 2

verb

Definition of blur

as in to confuse

to make (something) unclear to the understanding an article for the layman that blurs the distinction between the two kinds of cholesterol

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obscure

to make dark, dim, or indistinct evening shadows blurred the view of the valley from the overlook

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blur

2 of 2

noun

as in taint

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of blur

Verb

Skin tints, blurring balms, four kinds of lip liner—amid an increasing bevy of products to choose between, choice paralysis begs the question of what a makeup routine actually requires. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026 But the show gets much deeper than that, as lines start to blur between what’s right and wrong and who’s the actual villain in the story. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

Its public sequences, shot among unsuspecting bystanders, blur performance and reality. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026 It was underscored in the Tour’s final kilometers, a blur of hurt and lactic and guts over the Paris cobbles, swapping turns with Mathieu van der Poel towards a dream win on the Champs-Élysées. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for blur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blur

Verb

This reserve should not be confused with a permanent investment strategy.

— Steve Booren, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
The light entering my eyes would bend at two different angles, confusing my brain and making my vision a little blurry.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

In the years since Shakur’s murder, what exactly happened in that hail of bullets -- and who pulled the trigger -- was obscured by a lack of physical evidence, feuding cops and the gangland code of silence.

— Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Once there, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf watch as the butterfly approaches the outstretched hand of a woman whose face is obscured, before the ominous presence crushes it in her hands.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of obscure

Noun

Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
On top of worrying about making great wine, European producers will now have to mitigate against smoke taint, save their grapes from frost, and consider how to future-proof vineyards in a rapidly changing climate.

— Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026

Definition of taint

Verb

But Trump’s approval ratings have suffered a year and a half into his second term and are muddying a race that Blakeman wants to keep squarely focused on Hochul and her management of the state.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Conflicting accounts of bilateral engagement are muddying the progress of a deal to open the Hormuz strait.

— Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,Justina Lee,Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of muddy

Verb

The sky darkened suddenly, as if it had been turned down by a dimmer switch, and Decoteau frowned at a weather app on his phone.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
The funeral was held less than a week after her signature song served as the soundtrack at celebrations marking a total eclipse that darkened skies across parts of Europe.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of darken

Noun

While the worst issues were discovered at the Sleep Inn, site visits at the Holiday Inn and Fairfield Inn also revealed water stains, humid laundry facilities and signs of pests.

— Renee Anderson, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
There’s a pet-stain remover under the sink, which, of course, does nothing.

— Brandon Follick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of stain

Verb

The lawsuit expanded on that, accusing the village of obfuscating the nature of the development during the earlier stages of approvals.

— Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
The revelation is the latest example of how engaging the technology — and obfuscating such use — can roil audiences eager to support new films.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of obfuscate

Verb

The lights were dimmed, and many of the children were more focused on their giddy Spanish campmate than the match.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Odds for Social Security reform may have dimmed last week after one of the program's biggest champions lost his primary, but advocates say this only highlights the importance of November's midterm elections.

— Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of dim

Browse Nearby Words

blunts

blur

blurb

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Blur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blur. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of blur

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on blur

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

balmy

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes