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
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
The risk that the muddle in both Washington and Sarajevo will cost jobs in Gorazde has left the town’s mayor, Mr. Imamovic, aghast.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
Yet, given the market's heavy tilt to megacap tech, any leading economic signal from such a turnaround could be muddled.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
There’s an entanglement involving professors, graduate students, and department leaders that ends in a true Edwardian muddle.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
The risk that the muddle in both Washington and Sarajevo will cost jobs in Gorazde has left the town’s mayor, Mr. Imamovic, aghast.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
Today, these delineators have been somewhat complicated as unprecedented times muddle the bounds of politics and social codes.
—Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
Yet, given the market's heavy tilt to megacap tech, any leading economic signal from such a turnaround could be muddled.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 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
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The 19-year-old pledge at Pennsylvania State University died in 2017 after twice falling down the stairs of the Beta Theta Pi house in a drunken daze.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
24 Aug. 2025
-
When Lorenzo Charles plucked an air ball from the sky and slammed home a game-winning dunk, Valvano ran around the court in a daze, looking for someone to hug.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The 30-hour search for a suspect Across the country, the killing of the prominent political figure and media personality – the latest in a string of political violence incidents – had sowed shock and confusion.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In one notable instance, antipathy toward business has led to confusion and unnecessary tension.—
Kerry Jackson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Forbes publishes a variety of rankings, including the best employers and the richest people.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
-
At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, concern is growing about how certain food additives and preservatives may disrupt the gut’s delicate balance.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Anders is disrupting financial services.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Other cuts start as pop songs before crashing into atonal messes and freak rock chaos.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Vacmaster Portable Carpet Cleaner Utilizing 15 kilopascals of suction power, the cleaner shampoos carpeted and upholstered surfaces to break up tough messes.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Around them, disco lights spill out from beneath a motorhome, piercing the haze from flares and exhaust fumes.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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Could some of these haze-rich exoplanets have something remarkable within their atmospheres?—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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