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
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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
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
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding.
Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.
—Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 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
The beets overpower the beef and muddle any nuance in the tartare.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding.
Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.
—Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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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
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump last week contains dozens of complex tax and other provisions that have generated confusion and misinformation.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
This leads to confusion and frustration when their air conditioning is unexpectedly limited.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Each three-pack is available in a variety of sizes, including small, medium, large, and more, and comes in more than four color options, too (although prices vary by style and size).—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
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Dahlias are one of the most popular flowers in the garden because of their many varieties and colors, their long blooming period, and their beauty in floral arrangements.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Amazon $650 Samsung $650 Best Buy Not to be confused with the Galaxy S24 series, this midrange smartphone from late 2024 has some elements of the flagship phone, but makes some sacrifices to get the price down.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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Hence, Nicole left the party, despondent at having been rejected and confused at the cold reception.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The industry’s year of strikes in 2023 also disrupted the flow of Hollywood movie releases to the local multiplex.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
-
Underneath the fun exterior, Red Bull was serious about its ambitions of disrupting F1’s front-runners and assembling a team that was capable of winning a championship.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Even before the credits start to unspool, Star Wars fashion, director Richard Lester lets fly with a series of slapstick sight gags that pile disaster on disaster until only Superman himself can untangle the mess.—
Arthur Knight,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
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The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association also gathers in the early-morning hours at the Dana Point beach to clean up the crowd’s mess.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
4 July 2025
Noun
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The wind that causes the haze is also responsible for the reddish area at the top of the photo.—
Perri Thaler,
Space.com,
6 July 2025
-
Smog, haze and pollution sometimes contribute to poor air quality.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Using a mosquito 'bucket of doom' is much cheaper than getting a pest control service to come fog or spray your yard.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
4 July 2025
-
Heavy rain pelted the rescuers, who also battled fog and 45 mph wind gusts, according to officials.—
Sara Schilling
July 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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