smokescreens
Deliberate visual obstructions
Smokescreens are clouds of smoke deployed to conceal military movements or positions from enemy observation.
The figurative sense now dominates: anything used to obscure the truth or distract from what's really happening.
The accounting changes were just smokescreens to hide the losses.
Politicians and corporations deploy smokescreens to deflect scrutiny.
False target for misdirection
- diversionRedirection of attention
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
cover-up · distraction · red herring · feint · ploy · deflection · tactic · maneuver
Protect by overlaying
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- cloakSleeveless outer wrap
- veilFabric that obscures
- maskFace-worn concealment
shroud · curtain · shield · disguise · obscure · hide · cloud · blur
Large-caliber battlefield weapons
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- covering fireGunfire enabling safe movement
- infantryGround combat troops
- advanceMove or progress forward
retreat · naval · battlefield · landing · troops · evacuation · tactical · deployment
decoy
False target for misdirection
- diversionRedirection of attention
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
subterfuge · cover-up · distraction · red herring · feint · ploy · deflection · tactic · maneuver · pretense
cover
Protect by overlaying
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- cloakSleeveless outer wrap
- veilFabric that obscures
mask · shroud · curtain · shield · disguise · obscure · hide · cloud · blur · shade
artillery
Large-caliber battlefield weapons
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- covering fireGunfire enabling safe movement
- infantryGround combat troops
advance · retreat · naval · battlefield · landing · troops · evacuation · tactical · deployment · bombardment
fog
Low-lying cloud cover
mist · smog · exhaust · pollution · soot · particulates · emissions · billowing · thick · dense
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- concealmentconceal, hiding, concealing, concealed, hide
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- deceptionslie, lies, lying, deceit, decoy
- evasionevasion, avoiding, avoids, evade, dodging
smokescreenstransparency
State of being see-through
clarity · clear view · visibility · lucidity · openness
smokescreensfull disclosure
Withholding no information
candor · honesty · transparency · truthfulness · plain truth
smokescreensrevelations
Surprising facts made known
exposures · unveilings · unmasking · disclosure · laying bare