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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the new, supposedly improved forms simply put taxpayers in a bigger muddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in variety
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a muddle of old magazines piled on the shelves
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
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 muddle
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
The brand confusion surrounding HBO in the streaming realm goes back years, before Warner Bros. Discovery was formed from Discovery’s acquisition WarnerMedia (previously called Time Warner; there’s another naming muddle for you).
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 May 2025
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 11 July 2025
The Martin, more often utilized for unamplified concerts, was at times overpoweringly loud, with an acoustic that tended to muddle speech and singing in particular.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
On the menu: Reconciliation bill still sinking with voters; New York mayoral muddle; DNC’s chair agonistes; Crowded field could save Cassidy; Don’t sweat it
Today is West Virginia Day, the holiday celebrating the 35th state’s admission to the union on June 20, 1863.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
The brand confusion surrounding HBO in the streaming realm goes back years, before Warner Bros. Discovery was formed from Discovery’s acquisition WarnerMedia (previously called Time Warner; there’s another naming muddle for you).
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 May 2025
Verb
Scientists know the Doomsday Glacier is in danger, but conflicting studies on its instability have muddled the picture.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 11 July 2025
The Martin, more often utilized for unamplified concerts, was at times overpoweringly loud, with an acoustic that tended to muddle speech and singing in particular.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
-
In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Role Clarity If current employees aren’t sure who owns what, new hires will step straight into the confusion.—
Leyda Lazo,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
There is no confusion when a woman makes a decision regarding her relationship.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Many brands also offer brewers in a variety of colors and finishes.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
-
This is particularly important for the healthcare field, especially for enterprises use-cases, as healthcare data is largely unstructured and frequently found in a variety of different modalities.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The rest of the members’ faces were left blank and confused at the mention of barking.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Wrong, Krista, to confuse an investment with a subsidy.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Indiana Democrats lack the ability to break quorum and disrupt legislative processes, like their counterparts in Texas are currently doing, Pierce told anchor Kate Bolduan.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Usually, Alzheimer’s disease also causes personality changes, loss of appetite, and disrupted sleep.2 Sometimes, the symptoms can help a healthcare provider diagnose a person’s specific type of dementia.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Any white bedding is a risk for spills or any other mess tracked into the bedroom by pets.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The timing of the sale brings a bookend to the decade that Shari Redstone spent cleaning up the very big mess made by her father in his waning years at the helm of his Viacom empire.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The smoke from Canada is expected to move over Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., while holding over much of Pennsylvania and New York, as calming high pressure and stable winds could hold onto this haze over the Northeast through much of the week and potentially even the weekend.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Monday, however, may see increased haze from the Canadian wildfires heading down via northwesterly winds.—
Isabelle Friedman,
Boston Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Zero visibility strategy: In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The clarity provided by such a statement can break through the fog of mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians and allow both to imagine a future worth striving for.—
Ami Ayalon,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share