muddle

verb

mud·​dle ˈmə-dᵊl 

muddled; muddling ˈməd-liŋ 

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 positions.

—A. 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 

ˈmə-dᵊl-ər

noun

Synonyms of muddle

• confuse
• baffle
• puzzle
• perplex
• bewilder

Examples of muddle in a Sentence

a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice

some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts

Recent Examples on the Web

When considering domestic destinations for the menu, Martin tested the old-school Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned ($10), with cherries and orange muddled into the cocktail. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

This muddled the entire process. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Nola’s situation is just as muddled. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 21 May 2026

It’s made from BPA-free nylon and features five curved blades at the bottom to effectively break up ground beef, mash potatoes, scramble eggs, and even muddle fruit for a fresh cocktail. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing muddle

• in a muddle
• muddle along
• muddle through

Rhymes for muddle

• cuddle
• huddle
• puddle

Kids Definition

muddle

1 of 2 verb

mud·​dle ˈməd-ᵊl 

muddled; muddling ˈməd-liŋ 

-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 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

muddle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a state of confusion or bewilderment

2

: a confused mess : jumble