obscurecer

Obscurecer is a Portuguese verb meaning to darken or to obscure, both in a physical sense (reducing light or clarity) and in a figurative sense (making something less clear or revealing less information). It can describe weather, light, colors, as well as ideas, explanations, or truth becoming harder to understand or see.

Etymology and usage

The verb comes from Latin obscurecere, obscūrāre, through the history of Portuguese. It is often used in contexts where visibility or clarity is reduced, and it can be transitive, requiring a direct object (obscurecer algo) or intransitive when describing the subject becoming obscure.

Conjugation and forms

Obscurecer is a regular -er verb with a spelling change in the first person singular present indicative: eu obscureço. The standard present tense forms are: eu obscureço, tu obscureces, ele obscurece, nós obscurecemos, vós obscureceis, eles obscurecem. The preterite is: eu obscureci, tu obscureceste, ele obscureceu, nós obscurecemos, vós obscurecestes, eles obscureceram. Imperfect: eu obscurecia, tu obscurecias, ele obscurecia, nós obscurecíamos, vós obscurecíeis, eles obscureciam. Future: eu obscurecerei, tu obscurecerás, ele obscurecerá, nós obscureceremos, vós obscurecereis, eles obscurecerão. The past participle is obscurecido, and the gerund is obscurecendo. Examples: “A neblina obscureceu a paisagem” or “As informações obscureceram a verdade.”

Usage notes

Obscurecer is common in formal or literary styles when describing concealment, misdirection, or reduced clarity. It can be used with direct objects (obscurecer algo) or intransitively to indicate a process of becoming less clear. Synonyms include escurecer (more about darkening) and tornar obscuro.