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
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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
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Recent Examples of addle
Ann Hornaday, Twin Cities, 25 July 2019
Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Words can addle, the propagandist knows, even in their absence.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
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
Members of a generation that’s been addled by the internet’s intrusions since birth, many of them seem much less bullish about chasing mass appeal.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Words can addle, the propagandist knows, even in their absence.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for addle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addle
Adjective
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The woman called her daughter but was too dazed to explain what had happened.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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After successfully nabbing one, the dazed comedian flicked her hair back and stumbled out of the wind machine to reveal the winning number.—
Emlyn Travis,
EW.com,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Will people be bewildered as to the difference between speaking of the two-word AI versus any of these three-word variations? Likely.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
We are bewildered with taking action regarding energy and climate change, even though suggestions and answers have been available for over 50 years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Olivia, bewildered and frightened, runs to the vast body of Tierra del Fuego to look for him.—
Jason Liwag,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
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Whites, bewildered and self-righteous, would find their way to Reagan.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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She’s equally baffled by the widespread use of artificial intelligence.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Aug. 2025
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Knight was left off the two-night, 11-match SummerSlam card entirely, a decision that baffled and angered his supporters.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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El Financiero also reported that authorities are investigating whether the accident was caused by excessive speed or distracted driving.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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In high school, she was disorganized and distracted.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Having witnessed Axel's affection firsthand, Ollie's staff members are perplexed that the pup hasn't found his forever home, despite searching for an adopter for over a year.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The revelation perplexed Wall Street traders, who had expected bullion to be exempt from duties.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As Covid-19 transmission ramps up in the US, many Americans are confused about the Trump administration’s latest policies concerning access to vaccines.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
4 Aug. 2025
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Ironically, this search for answers often leaves them feeling more upset, confused and longing for the one who rejected them.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The rest of the members’ faces were left blank and confused at the mention of barking.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Wrong, Krista, to confuse an investment with a subsidy.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Addle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addle. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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