/ English Dictionary |
SMOKESCREEN
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An action intended to conceal or confuse or obscure
Example:
requesting new powers of surveillance is just a smokescreen to hide their failures
Synonyms:
smoke screen; smokescreen
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("smokescreen" is a kind of...):
concealing; concealment; hiding (the activity of keeping something secret)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(military) screen consisting of a cloud of smoke that obscures movements
Synonyms:
smoke screen; smokescreen
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("smokescreen" is a kind of...):
screen (a protective covering consisting of netting; can be mounted in a frame)
Domain category:
armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)