muddle

1 of 2

verb

mud·​dle ˈmə-dᵊl How to pronounce muddle (audio)
muddled; muddling ˈməd-liŋ How to pronounce muddle (audio)
ˈmə-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to make turbid or muddy
muddled the brook with his splashings
2
: to befog or stupefy (see stupefy sense 1) especially with liquor
The drink muddled him and his voice became loud and domineering.
3
: to mix confusedly
muddles the household accounts
4
: to make a mess of : bungle
muddled themselves into the most indefensible positionsA. N. Whitehead

intransitive verb

: to think or act in a confused aimless way
She muddled along for a year before going to college.
muddler
ˈməd-lər How to pronounce muddle (audio)
ˈmə-dᵊl-ər
noun

muddle

2 of 2

noun

1
: a state of especially mental confusion
2
: a confused mess
muddly
ˈməd-lē How to pronounce muddle (audio)
ˈmə-dᵊl-ē
adjective

Examples of muddle in a Sentence

Verb a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts Noun His papers were in a muddle. His mind was a muddle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The beets overpower the beef and muddle any nuance in the tartare. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding. Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting. Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Noun
In some ways his behavior since the election was more an emotional meltdown than a strategic plan, or a muddle of the two. Rebecca Solnit january 13, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2021 On the menu: Reconciliation bill still sinking with voters; New York mayoral muddle; DNC’s chair agonistes; Crowded field could save Cassidy; Don’t sweat it Today is West Virginia Day, the holiday celebrating the 35th state’s admission to the union on June 20, 1863. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for muddle

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably from obsolete Dutch moddelen, from Middle Dutch, from modde mud; akin to Middle Low German mudde

First Known Use

Verb

1676, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of muddle was in 1676

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muddle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

muddle

1 of 2 verb
mud·​dle ˈməd-ᵊl How to pronounce muddle (audio)
muddled; muddling ˈməd-liŋ How to pronounce muddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to be or cause to be confused or bewildered : stupefy
muddled by too much advice
2
: to mix up in a confused way
muddle the household accounts
3
: to think or act in a confused way : bungle
muddle through a task
muddler
-lər How to pronounce muddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

muddle

2 of 2 noun
1
: a state of confusion or bewilderment
2
: a confused mess : jumble

More from Merriam-Webster on muddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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