becloud
Make less clear
To becloud is to obscure or make unclear, as clouds obscure the sky.
The word applies literally to vision—Smoke beclouded the air—but more often appears figuratively: Emotion beclouded her judgment.
The term is literary and somewhat old-fashioned; obscure or cloud usually serve the same purpose.
Low-lying cloud cover
- mistFine airborne moisture
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
- shroudBurial cloth or covering
- veilFabric that obscures
dim · darken · blur · murk · eclipse · shadow · cloak · screen
Disordered, bewildered state
- perplexCause utter confusion
- bewilderCause utter confusion
- confoundTo thoroughly puzzle
- obfuscateMake unclear intentionally
puzzle · baffle · befuddle · addle · mystify · obscure · complicate · disorient
Damage one's standing
- taintMake impure
- stainLasting surface discoloration
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- smearSpread or defame
blemish · mar · soil · blacken · defile · muddy · dirty · corrupt
State of being unsure
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- distrustAbsence of confidence
questioning · wariness · reservation · qualm · ambivalence · hesitation · dubiety · mistrust
fog
Low-lying cloud cover
veil · dim · darken · blur · murk · eclipse · shadow · cloak · screen · mask
muddle
Disordered, bewildered state
obfuscate · puzzle · baffle · befuddle · addle · mystify · obscure · complicate · disorient · fluster
sully
Damage one's standing
smear · blemish · mar · soil · blacken · defile · muddy · dirty · corrupt · dishonor
uncertainty
State of being unsure
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
distrust · questioning · wariness · reservation · qualm · ambivalence · hesitation · dubiety · mistrust · disbelief
becloudclarify
Make something understandable
elucidate · explain · illuminate · clear up · make clear