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
Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the tomato slices, lemon and tomato simple syrup.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 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
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
In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the tomato slices, lemon and tomato simple syrup.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 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
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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
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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
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Indeed, there has been confusion over how many shots were fired when Finicum was killed and who fired them.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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But that means there’s even more opportunity for confusion.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hardee's offers a variety of breakfast sandwiches, wraps and even biscuits and gravy with a side of tater tots and a coffee.—
Katie Wiseman,
The Courier-Journal,
29 Aug. 2025
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Italian seasoning is a floral medley of a variety of herbs and adds fantastic flavor in one fell swoop.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This decision could confuse your friends.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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The season ended with the two attending a sleepover at Cody's house after his mom confused Beavis and Butt-Head with her son's friends.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Months after Milwaukee officials began talking about the issue, street takeovers continue to disrupt the city.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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That’s because the same technology that may be disrupting traditional jobs could accelerate entirely new industries from space tourism to planet colonization.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If the mess-maker is solid, use a spatula, dull kitchen knife, or the edge of a credit card to lift it from the surface of the upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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The first crazy thing that happens to the movie Smurls is when a kitchen chandelier almost falls on them, though the most visceral is when oldest sister Dawn Smurl (Beau Gadsdon) suddenly vomits up pieces of glass, leaving the sink and her face a bloody mess.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Queer William Lee (Daniel Craig) — a middle-aged American expat in 1950s Mexico City — spends his days lost in a haze of parties and one-night stands with younger men.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Arena lighting and floor shaders replicate the look of real NBA courts down to wood grain and post-game haze.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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