1
as in rotten
having undergone organic breakdown
addled eggs found on a long abandoned hen's nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 baffled
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 addled
Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
In fact, all six of this year’s contenders are first-time Emmy nominees, including Deirdre O’Connell, who played Oz Cobb’s addled mother Francis on HBO’s The Penguin, and Ruth Negga, for playing Rusty’s wife Barbara on Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for addled
Adjective
Noah is a debt-addled, nerdy middle-aged who feels totally emasculated by his inability to get a project off the ground.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
In fact, all six of this year’s contenders are first-time Emmy nominees, including Deirdre O’Connell, who played Oz Cobb’s addled mother Francis on HBO’s The Penguin, and Ruth Negga, for playing Rusty’s wife Barbara on Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
One is addled by paranoia and extremism, the other knows only heartless corporate speak.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for addled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addled
Adjective
-
In a city in which the house always wins — and so many others lose and lose — the Raiders’ rotten run of futility is getting old.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Learn how to banish that rotten egg smell from your washer while keeping it fresh, clean, and odor-free.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The scramble to get the show launched has left Tierney and Brady a bit dazed.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the Golden Globes has officially added a podcast category, and even though no one quite knows what to make of it, folks seem dazed enough to roll with it nevertheless.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At a vigil for the two on Sunday night, friends and family were baffled by the killing, the Allentown Morning Call reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Scientists are also baffled by how the planet could have formed at all.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
What to Do With Overripe Pears Not to worry if pears are soft but not spoiled.—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The United Center cheers were nearly spoiled when Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the game-winner for an offside penalty.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Snook and Lacy, who display such sharp instincts in their best work, seem to have been directed to overact; cameras freeze on their exaggeratedly bewildered or angry or devastated expressions, putting exclamation points at the end of too many scenes.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Instead, a bewildered stranger answers the door.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Farmers’ Almanac will be gone for good after its final 2026 edition, not to be confused with The Old Farmer's Almanac, a separate publication.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Blue Origin also launches New Shepard from Texas The New Glenn spacecraft is not to be confused with Blue Origin's much smaller New Shepard rocket that the company launches from West Texas on brief trips taking paying passengers high above Earth's atmosphere.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The decomposed body found in singer D4vd's Tesla at a Los Angeles impound lot was identified as that of a 15-year-old girl.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
18 Sep. 2025
-
McCormack’s decomposed body was found in a pink suitcase near Missouri Highway 59 between Lanagan, Missouri, and Noel, Missouri, on July 29, 2019, according to the plea agreement.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The entrepreneur was seemingly distracted and disengaged to the point where Snoop had to call her attention back.—
Essence,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Better, but invites distracted glances with every notification.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Addled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addled. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share