1
as in jumble
a state in which everything is out of order
things at the newly built school were all in a muddle on opening day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in daze
a state of mental confusion
I was in such a muddle after the accident that I didn't know where I was
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3
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the new, supposedly improved forms simply put taxpayers in a bigger muddle
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4
as in variety
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a muddle of old magazines piled on the shelves
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1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
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2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddle
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
After the muddle of Kamala Harris and the senility of Joe Biden, Democrats need substantive and sophisticated leaders primed for traditional and new media alike.
—Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Still, economists say the report could be more than a little muddled this time around.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
This muddle stems from a deeper conceptual problem.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
After the muddle of Kamala Harris and the senility of Joe Biden, Democrats need substantive and sophisticated leaders primed for traditional and new media alike.
—Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Fog-laden marine layers also muddle the mix.
—Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Still, economists say the report could be more than a little muddled this time around.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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The result also spotlights conference championships’ awkward fit in the current system, particularly given the fact that conference expansion has led to jumbles atop each league’s standings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Now the state, if not region, is in a daze.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The morning after Maduro was captured, as the sun rose over the mountains at the edge of the city, people had stepped out of their homes in a daze.—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the confusion only has increased.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Silence on defense leads to confusion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
First found in the 1930s, this interpretation was later validated by a wide variety of laboratory experiments.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
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The menu has shifted to more small plates and skewers, with meats like chicken, shrimp, fish and wagyu beef and a variety of different vegetables.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sheer bulk of the suit might confuse the human eye from a distance, but in large open spaces, like snowfields, anything that looks a little odd will stand out.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Many people confuse the center with Crossroads Church or Crossroad Health Center, Pelicano said.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both sides say the strike will disrupt hospital operations.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The United States on June 25 launched a new satellite expected to significantly improve forecasts of solar flares and coronal mass ejections — huge plasma bubbles that can crash into Earth, disrupting power grids and communications.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ideally, provide a range of low-mess snacks that can easily be eaten during gameplay, or take dedicated food breaks throughout the game so your game tiles don’t get covered with food.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
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Republicans are publicly calling for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and privately freaking out that her Minnesota mess will doom their chances of holding Congress in the 2026 midterms.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But luckily for everyone marveling at JWST’s crisp snapshots of faraway galaxies, this dense haze is totally invisible.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
25 Jan. 2026
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Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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