1
as in rotten
having undergone organic breakdown
addled eggs found on a long abandoned hen's nest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
one of the more addled audience members confused Ghana with Guyana
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bewildered
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of addled
Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Nov. 2024
The episode hinges on Novak’s ability to sell Nandor’s transformation from seemingly addled while lecturing a warehouse full of mannequins, to roguishly determined when commanding his followers to set Dartmouth University on fire.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Back at the Harris rally, Carvey came out as a squinting and addled Biden, talking in circles before Harris finally tried to push him off the stage.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2024
In the span of about a week, she’s become an icon for our addled times.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for addled
Adjective
Psychiatrists testified for both the state and the defense that a person in psychosis is prone to make statements based on a belief in their addled mind.
—Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Nov. 2024
The episode hinges on Novak’s ability to sell Nandor’s transformation from seemingly addled while lecturing a warehouse full of mannequins, to roguishly determined when commanding his followers to set Dartmouth University on fire.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Back at the Harris rally, Carvey came out as a squinting and addled Biden, talking in circles before Harris finally tried to push him off the stage.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2024
In the span of about a week, she’s become an icon for our addled times.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for addled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addled
Adjective
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The smell, an odor like rotten eggs, is the sargassum piles decomposing, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2025
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Once seaweed washes ashore, the piles start to rot and release hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like rotten eggs.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Once Connor Brown deposited the puck into the empty Los Angeles net and rejoiced, the Kings milled about the ice in a dazed and confused state.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The actor—who is also currently filming season three of Euphoria—took the time to walk the wide-eyed and probably quite bewildered pup around the carpeted front of the hotel, and looked chic doing it.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
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Heyman then handed the chair to a bewildered Roman Reigns, who used it to strike downed CM Punk.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pew found 55% of Republicans are confused about the information out there on climate change--but this was also true for 39% of Democrats.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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The two ‘deals’ have left tariff policy more confused than ever, argues columnist Michael Hiltzik.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Follow the rules of the road—and stay off your phone - Stick to speed limits, obey traffic signals, and never drive distracted.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
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That was a possible sign of fatigue or distracted driving, some experts told CBS Austin — a problem that truckers told The Hill is endemic across an industry that pushes them to work around the clock.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The memes alone can send anyone into a dizzy state.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
16 May 2025
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Unaware of a bee allergy, Ryan became disoriented, dizzy, and eventually passed out.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Addled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addled. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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