The sports car was going so fast it was just a blur as it passed by.
Source: tatoeba (2418626)
Blur
/ˈblɜː/
Synonyms for "blur" (206 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (42)
Strong matches (61)
Related words (103)
jumble togetherlose resolutionlow profilemaculamaculationmaculemarkmark of cainmaskmess upmistmistinessmixmuddlemuddyobfuscateobscureobscurityodiumonus
Show 52 more words
overlook distinctionspalepalenesspatchpilloryingpoint champainreflectionreprimandreproachscorchsearsemivisibilityshadowinesssingeslubberslursmearsmirchsmokesmouchsmudgesmutsmutchsoft focussoftensoilspatterspeckspecklesplashsplattersplotchspotstainstigmastigmatismstigmatizationstigmatizetainttartarnishtumbleuncertaintyunclearnessunformunplainnessunshapevague appearancevaguenessveilweakenweakness
Noun(16 words)
Verb(13 words)
Adjective(2 words)
unfocused exerciseunfocussed
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: fuzz, aspersion, attaint, badge of infamy, bar sinister.
- Sentence evidence is available for blur, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "blur".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "blur"
Keep "blur" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "blur" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "blur", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "blur" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
18 entriesShowing 16 of 18 words.
More specific
12 entriesbokehboundary blurringbox blurdefocus blurdreamlike blurgaussian blurimpressionistic blurline blurringlow pass filtermotion blurradial blursoft focus
Collocations
10 entriesblur effectblurred visiondepth of field bluredge blurgaussian blurimage blurmotion blurradial blursoft blursoft focus
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
6 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
2 entriesSample sentences
27 total sentences available.
I can't remember anything. It's just one big blur.
Source: tatoeba (2684393)
The cities, the roads, the countryside, the people I meet - they all begin to blur. I tell myself I am searching for something. But more and more, it feels like I am wandering, waiting for something to happen to me, something that will change everything, something that my whole life has been leading up to.
Source: tatoeba (5972338)
Fiction and reality are starting to blur.
Source: tatoeba (8688915)
Showing 4 of 27 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "blur"?
Closest matches include fuzz, aspersion, attaint, badge of infamy, bar sinister.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "blur"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.