obscure

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verb

ADVERB

▪ completely, totally

▪ almost

▪ largely

▪ half, partially, partly, slightly, somewhat

▪ deliberately

▪

All trace of his working-class background was deliberately obscured.

▪ easily

▪

Solo passages in this register are very easily obscured by other instruments.

VERB + OBSCURE

▪ serve to, tend to

▪

The emphasis on social integration often served to obscure the real differences within the community.

▪ allow sth to

PREPOSITION

▪ behind

▪

The moon was obscured behind a wall of cloud.

▪ in

▪

The right-hand side of the face is obscured in deep shadow.

PHRASES

▪ obscure the fact that … 

▪

These figures obscure the fact that a lot of older people live in poverty.

▪ obscure sth from view

▪

The house was obscured from view by a wall.

Obscure is used with these nouns as the subject: ↑cloud, ↑fog, ↑mist

Obscure is used with these nouns as the object: ↑distinction, ↑extent, ↑fact, ↑reality, ↑view, ↑vision

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adj.

VERBS

▪ be, seem

▪ become

▪

The origins of the tradition have become obscure.

▪ remain

▪

The motives behind this decision remain somewhat obscure.

ADVERB

▪ extremely, fairly, very, etc.

▪ completely, totally

▪ largely

▪ relatively

▪ wilfully/willfully (esp. BrE)

Obscure is used with these nouns: ↑corner, ↑disease, ↑jargon, ↑journal, ↑origin, ↑reference