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
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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
Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The presentation is muddied a bit by the strong bass and lack of stereo separation, which crowds the lower registers (something that’s not helped by the recording's acoustics).
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Former Managing Director Fabio Paratici being suspended for most of his time as Spurs’ chief decision-maker muddied the waters further.
—Joe Prince-Wright, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
The Iran conflict has muddied expectations of imminent US Federal Reserve rate cuts, with rising oil prices reviving inflation fears and forcing investors to reassess how quickly the Fed can ease policy.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
But the BAFTAs muddied the waters (Robert Aramayo, not in the Oscar mix, was the unexpected winner).
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The waters have been muddied even more since then because, in the time since the Toronto deal, Therme has apparently raised enough money — including through a partnership with private equity — to actually buy the German businesses.
—Madeline Leung Coleman, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026
Instead, lawmakers say the department skirted its legal obligation for greater transparency and muddied the waters by releasing an extensive list of names, ranging from celebrities to politicos, with little explanation accompanying them.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026
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 if that wasn't enough, a spike in energy prices tied to the Middle East conflict has further muddied the economic outlook and put strain on consumers at the pump.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The presentation is muddied a bit by the strong bass and lack of stereo separation, which crowds the lower registers (something that’s not helped by the recording's acoustics).
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Former Managing Director Fabio Paratici being suspended for most of his time as Spurs’ chief decision-maker muddied the waters further.
—Joe Prince-Wright, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
The Iran conflict has muddied expectations of imminent US Federal Reserve rate cuts, with rising oil prices reviving inflation fears and forcing investors to reassess how quickly the Fed can ease policy.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
But the BAFTAs muddied the waters (Robert Aramayo, not in the Oscar mix, was the unexpected winner).
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The waters have been muddied even more since then because, in the time since the Toronto deal, Therme has apparently raised enough money — including through a partnership with private equity — to actually buy the German businesses.
—Madeline Leung Coleman, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026
Instead, lawmakers say the department skirted its legal obligation for greater transparency and muddied the waters by releasing an extensive list of names, ranging from celebrities to politicos, with little explanation accompanying them.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddied
Adjective
-
The cocktail list includes The Crag OF, a smooth take on an Old Fashioned, and the Irish Exit, a drink inspired by the Irish Maid, with elderflower, fresh lemon and muddled cucumber.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Dinner is preceded by a fireside drinks hour, which gives guests a chance to connect with each other and share highlights from the day’s game drives while sipping cocktails made with muddled herbs (grown on-site, of course).—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This was not to be confused with the Ulster Volunteer Force or the Ulster Defence Association, both terrorist organizations that vehemently favored the link with Britain.—
Colm Tóibín,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
And at least one fan confused the two very different men by sending a photo of Jack Black in his Mandalorian getup to Third Man Records, and requesting an autograph.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Winter clouds and sleet blurred everything together, but as my eyes adjusted, what seemed dull grew more distinctive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This spring, expect lips to be blurred, eyeliner to be smudged, and skin to be soft-focus.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These areas are most productive on sunny days or when the water’s stained.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Infantino’s time in power has been praised — often by FIFA itself — as a reformist presidency following the scandals and FBI investigations that stained the organization.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Frail elderly women, swathed in headscarves and saris, worshipped while sitting on puddled pavement near corroded metal changing lockers plastered with ads for Glow & Lovely skin cream.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Ballard also testified he was puzzled by Rivera’s statement in a Washington Post story about PDV USA’s suit against his company, which was accused of receiving $20 million over several months in 2017 for doing little work for ostensibly promoting CITGO’s oil interests in the United States.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This gap has puzzled researchers for years.—
Rhonda Winegar,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For him, rap was always the dream, even when self-doubt clouded the vision.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The war in Iran has clouded the outlook, and most economists say the impact of the war and higher energy prices were probably not fully reflected in the March jobs numbers.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Oil rushed through the sediment and rock and blackened the water.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
My father’s thumb was huge and blackened.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddied. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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