murky

adjective

ˈmər-kē 

murkier; murkiest

1

: characterized by a heavy dimness or obscurity caused by or like that caused by overhanging fog or smoke

the murky bottom of the lake

2

: characterized by thickness and heaviness of air : foggy, misty

rain poured down from murky skies

—Newsweek

3

: darkly vague or obscure

murky official rhetoric

He offered a murky explanation.

murkily

ˈmər-kə-lē 

adverb

murkiness

ˈmər-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• darkened
• dark

Examples of murky in a Sentence

She peered into one of the church's murky chapels.

a politician with a murky past

Recent Examples on the Web

Earth features similarly murky visuals and fearsome monsters, many original to the show. —Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

As with many of the trade deals Trump has announced, many of the particulars with the EU-U.S. agreement remain quite murky. —Saige Miller, NPR, 2 Aug. 2025

Even after signing a third NHL contract with the Leafs, Robertson’s future with the organization remains murky. —Chris Johnston, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025

While its larger purposes remain murky, the federal government hasn’t been shy about the X-37B’s existence. —Andrew Paul Jul 30, Popular Science, 30 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing murky

• murky waters

Rhymes for murky

• jerky
• perky
• quirky
• turki

Kids Definition

murky

adjective

ˈmər-kē 

murkier; murkiest

1

: very dark or gloomy

2

: foggy sense 1, misty

3

: difficult to understand

a murky reply designed to confuse

murkiness noun