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
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
The motives and power plays behind the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert were muddied, buried in backroom and boardroom deals and compromises, allowing CBS to insist that the show’s conclusion was not about Colbert’s anti-Trump views, but financial concerns.
—Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 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
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
The motives and power plays behind the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert were muddied, buried in backroom and boardroom deals and compromises, allowing CBS to insist that the show’s conclusion was not about Colbert’s anti-Trump views, but financial concerns.
—Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddied
Adjective
-
But the thinking behind the category itself remains muddled, and the rollout hasn’t helped.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Nov. 2025
-
But his box office track record is a bit mixed and muddled.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 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
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
-
Frank doesn’t mind having people killed for his agenda, but has avoided getting his hands stained with blood.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Cut the blanket into smaller pieces, avoiding areas that are worn, ripped, or stained, and turn them into pillow covers, tote bags, cushions, dog bedding, and more.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 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
-
Weapons depicts a small town clouded with darkness as the mysterious disappearance of 17 children from the same third-grade class is investigated.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Mixed results in recent economic data have clouded the outlook for the economy -- and in turn, interest rates.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The footage from drone cameras shows a large area of industrial Louisville charred and blackened from smoke and fire damage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Skip any skins that look moldy, blackened, or spoiled.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddied. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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