1
as in confused
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
my mind had been thoroughly muddied by the long hours of exacting work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blurred
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
that argument is irrelevant and will just muddy the issue we're trying to resolve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stained
to make dirty
forgot to take off our shoes and accidentally muddied the kitchen floor
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 muddied
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
However, since last summer’s expensive overhaul of the playing squad, the waters have become muddied.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The line between law enforcement and partisan vindictiveness can also become muddied.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Her feet are bare, the toenails a little muddied.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Computers, desks, a washer and dryer were among the belongings in the muddied basement that were wrecked in the storm.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Rain on parade morning muddied things for engineers and decorators.
—Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
But, the decision was muddied after the administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which decided that the directives to terminate awards related to DEI were likely unlawful but that individual researchers would have to take their complaints to federal claims court.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025
In the end, the Saints won with a walk-off field goal and muddied the Panthers’ previously uncomplicated path to the playoffs.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
Some online sources, such as National Geographic, Encyclopedia Britannica and others, muddied the waters of Krampus' origin story, saying the creature is the child of the Norse goddess Hel.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
But the results have been largely inconclusive, in part because the data often come from observational studies, which are less reliable and can be muddied by other factors.
—Will Stone, NPR, 19 Nov. 2025
However, the return of Rashee Rice has muddied Thornton's role to the point where he has only been targeted three times over the last four games.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025
The same cannot exactly be said for the eight subsequent franchise installments, a motley group of sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes, and legacy sequels that have muddied the continuity.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Our photo shoot takes place in his vineyards, and Cucinelli makes the short drive there himself behind the wheel of a muddied silver Rolls-Royce.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
However, since last summer’s expensive overhaul of the playing squad, the waters have become muddied.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The line between law enforcement and partisan vindictiveness can also become muddied.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Her feet are bare, the toenails a little muddied.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Computers, desks, a washer and dryer were among the belongings in the muddied basement that were wrecked in the storm.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
As the series unfolds, the moral terrain grows increasingly muddied.
—Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Rain on parade morning muddied things for engineers and decorators.
—Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
But, the decision was muddied after the administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which decided that the directives to terminate awards related to DEI were likely unlawful but that individual researchers would have to take their complaints to federal claims court.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025
In the end, the Saints won with a walk-off field goal and muddied the Panthers’ previously uncomplicated path to the playoffs.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
Some online sources, such as National Geographic, Encyclopedia Britannica and others, muddied the waters of Krampus' origin story, saying the creature is the child of the Norse goddess Hel.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
But the results have been largely inconclusive, in part because the data often come from observational studies, which are less reliable and can be muddied by other factors.
—Will Stone, NPR, 19 Nov. 2025
However, the return of Rashee Rice has muddied Thornton's role to the point where he has only been targeted three times over the last four games.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025
The same cannot exactly be said for the eight subsequent franchise installments, a motley group of sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes, and legacy sequels that have muddied the continuity.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddied
Adjective
-
True coffee enthusiasts know that a good coffee grinder plays a huge role in the extraction process and preventing a muddled flavor.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Tonight, Bluebland’s glasses reflect a muddled crowd.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The show is Finding Her Edge, a new ice skating drama that should not be confused with Spinning Out, another Netflix ice skating drama that was cancelled after one season.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Judicial warrants should not be confused with administrative warrants, which are signed by immigration officers.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The boundaries blurred quickly.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Their guests are capitalizing on the clout economy, where the line between influencer and entrepreneur is blurred and attention is the most valuable asset.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The liquid stained Omar's clothes and may have reached her eye.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In testing on human teeth that were artificially stained with tea and coffee, the researchers found that a total of four hours of brushing showed visible whitening, while 12 total hours of brushing led to teeth that were nearly 50% whiter than those in a control group.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This length is easier to maintain and avoids the tripping hazards of puddled fabric while still looking polished.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Fashion insiders wear them with puddled trousers and oversized knits; celebrities sport them year-round with jeans and knits, and preps still swear by a traditional black or oxblood pair that goes with everything.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
15 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Although puzzled, Aisha answered honestly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Like his wife, Moore was puzzled when their friend didn’t show up to eat dinner.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, the legal issues for sweepstakes have clouded its outlook.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But its growth has been clouded because of a funding dispute on Capitol Hill over the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which provides companies seed capital to develop new technology that can assist the government.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There's no better tool for making biscuits, cornbread, or blackened chicken than a cast-iron skillet.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Signs of overfeeding include white crust on the pot or media, brown, scorched leaf tips, mushy or blackened roots, stunted growth, lack of blooms, and leaf drop.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddied. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
