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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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
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Spurs’ playing squad is a muddle, the legacy of a generation’s worth of short-termism and too many coaching changes to mention.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
Erika’s brother, Klaus (August Diehl), sits naked by a rumpled bed with last night’s conquest still muddled up with his sheets, talking on the phone to his sister.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
Now, researchers plan to extend their investigations to nearby early settlement sites to determine if Culasawani is a midden or muddle.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Spurs’ playing squad is a muddle, the legacy of a generation’s worth of short-termism and too many coaching changes to mention.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
It’s made from BPA-free nylon and features five curved blades at the bottom to effectively break up ground beef, mash potatoes, scramble eggs, and even muddle fruit for a fresh cocktail.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
Erika’s brother, Klaus (August Diehl), sits naked by a rumpled bed with last night’s conquest still muddled up with his sheets, talking on the phone to his sister.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
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Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Summer Satur-daze Summer Music Series.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
28 May 2026
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Other bedding plants for summer color in sunny sites include angelonia, blue daze, bush daisy, Joseph’s coat, melampodium, salvia, torenia and zinnias.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson said former President Joe Biden’s moment of confusion at the Obama Presidential Center’s dedication ceremony doesn’t paint a good image for Democrats.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
20 June 2026
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Some confusion remained Saturday as to the terms of the settlement with the state, how close the parties are to that settlement and how much of the city’s street art would be removed under that agreement.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Noun
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Guests can also access nearby sister resort Marival Emotions Resort & Suites Riviera Nayarit, which features kids and teens clubs and a variety of family-friendly activities, and food and beverage outlets.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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While at Fortress, Adamolekun visited a variety of Red Lobster restaurants in secret to assess them.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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So The Listeners — not to be confused with 2022’s The Listener starring Tessa Thompson and you in a voice role — is just now reaching the States.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2026
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Why The Market Misprices Good Companies Investors often confuse business quality with investment quality.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The fires also disrupted travel across parts of Miami-Dade County.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
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Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and health conditions like metabolic bone disease can disrupt bone remodeling, leading to weaker bones over time.—
Priya Bhardwaj,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
Noun
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Topuria was a bloody and swollen mess by the time his corner stopped the fight between the fourth and fifth rounds.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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In other words, why mess with perfection?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Smoke from a series of wildfires that have burned more than 20,000 acres across South Florida began to ease Sunday, bringing clearer skies to some communities after days of heavy haze and poor air quality.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
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The haze later cleared with the game going ahead.—
Adela Suliman,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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