as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
my brain grew more and more addle as I made my way through the tax instructions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
after slipping on the ice, Bethany was so addled that she left her groceries where they'd fallen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of addle
Ann Hornaday, Twin Cities, 25 July 2019
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
But sorry, who can listen to this and not think, this is abnormal?
Business
Column: California’s transgender sanctuary law survives a challenge as judge ridicules plaintiff’s claims
April 11, 2024
No one, other than people so addled by transgender-paranoia.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for addle
Adjective
Soon enough, the foursome are in the back of that truck in an adventure that begins as a moneymaking scheme and promises to become a heroic journey into the heart of white supremacy at its most virulent and addle-minded.
—Ann Hornaday, Twin Cities, 25 July 2019
Verb
Words can addle, the propagandist knows, even in their absence.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
But sorry, who can listen to this and not think, this is abnormal?
Business
Column: California’s transgender sanctuary law survives a challenge as judge ridicules plaintiff’s claims
April 11, 2024
No one, other than people so addled by transgender-paranoia.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for addle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addle
Adjective
-
The band played everything a little slower, and the songs drifted through the theatre with a dazed elegance.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
-
The museum show did happen — though some of what’s in it is fabricated, including a few fake ads for Apple and Absolut Vodka that the band very much did not shoot — but everyone in attendance seems a little dazed and confused about it, including the band.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Babb acknowledged that the team was bewildered at the stunning turn of events.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
-
They were bewildered for me, and so was all the other staff.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But Evander Kane banked a puck off Esa Lindell’s skate and past a bewildered DeSmith less than three minutes later to restore the two-goal lead.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Comments Jeffrey Dean Morgan was baffled, bewildered, and befuddled.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
How Harry has changed under the influence of Meghan Markle has been baffling both to the royal family and beyond.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
-
So, for the club to be entertaining flogging, the one man who has bucked that trend is baffling.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
While Walker is so distracted, a high-speed chase involving the other four cops in on his dirty-money scheme is unfolding across town.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Eventually, doctors crafted a diagnosis that could explain distracted and excitable personalities, and a consensus formed about how to treat them.—
Adam B. Kushner,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There was one final thing that left St John perplexed.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
-
The results achieved statistical significance in one part of the analysis but not in others, perplexing outside experts.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Justice Department similarly told the Supreme Court that some lower courts are confused about how to evaluate multiple IQ tests under Supreme Court rules for what counts as cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
It’s become the subject of much conversation at Variety, and Erickson is similarly confused.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The measures are set to take effect on Monday and have left many Haitians confused.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
-
Elections and Certifications Don’t confuse a benefit or B corporation with a B Corp.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Addle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addle. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share