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
Ars Technica, 29 Feb. 2024
This strategic muddle is the focus of discussion in regional capitals, as well as in Moscow and Beijing.
—Brett McGurk, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2020
German Lopez, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Tsushima writes in a fluid, ambiguous present tense that muddles the distance between past and present, self and other.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
Microsoft is stepping in to try to straighten up this muddle of conceptually similar, executionally different technologies with a new API called DirectSR (the SR is for Super Resolution).
—Ars Technica, 29 Feb. 2024
This strategic muddle is the focus of discussion in regional capitals, as well as in Moscow and Beijing.
—Brett McGurk, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2020
Verb
Trump’s announcement yesterday muddled things further.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Tsushima writes in a fluid, ambiguous present tense that muddles the distance between past and present, self and other.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
-
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
-
This program was designed to provide shorter, clearer letters to reduce taxpayer confusion.—
Cindy McGhee,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Its adaptable, low-profile design fits into a variety of spaces without the bulk of traditional units.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Multi-generational families traveling together and looking for a bit more space can book a variety of larger accommodations that sleep up to 12.—
Margaux Lushing,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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While no one should ever have confused the entertainment business with a warm binkie, the institutions themselves are in the new and awkward spot of having to justify their existence.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
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All of the footage from The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon makes the show-within-a-show look silly, which the series confuses with humorousness.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Indeed, on Thursday in Basel, a small group of protesters blew whistles and waved flags to disrupt one of Raphael’s public rehearsals.—
Alex Marshall,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
In a particularly affecting scene, Laura pleads with a social worker who disrupts the sinister plot she’s been crafting.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Another recent video on her page revealed this wasn't the last time her cat used a ball of yarn to cause a mess.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Meanwhile, Charlie consults with Paige from set dec, who confirms that the team cleaned up the grisly mess at the house earlier that day.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
An expansive view of the French Alps covered in a wispy summer haze stretches out behind him.—
Nathaniel Parish Flannery,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
-
Beautiful beaches, palm trees and picturesque homes — that were impossible to see behind a thick haze.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2025
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Fans saw through the fog from the beginning, and each slight felt more telling than the last.—
Charlotte Walsh,
Vulture,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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