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
Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
Trump is trying to turn that muddle into a single demand for cheaper, thirstier trucks.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2026
But the strategy has been muddled and confused many players.
—Jason Schreier, Bloomberg, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
That muddle is making a dangerous situation even more potentially volatile.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
Trump is trying to turn that muddle into a single demand for cheaper, thirstier trucks.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
Costco's has a terrific taste and aroma of basil, but is muddled by an excess of creamy dairy.
—Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2026
But the strategy has been muddled and confused many players.
—Jason Schreier, Bloomberg, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
-
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
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Greene made the catch, and Meadows landed on his back in a daze, barely moving with his hands pointed up and blood appearing on his face.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Greene made the catch, and Meadows landed on his back in a daze, barely moving with his hands pointed up and blood appearing on his face.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm, and not ill-intended.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Be careful about your intentions today because an element of confusion (plus the ability to kid yourself) might get you in hot water.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cassie is trying to become social-media famous, suggestively flashing her all-American assets online in a variety of fetishy costumes (a puppy dog, a pacifier-sucking baby).—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The TikTok-famous date treats have even made their way into grocery store aisles, as CPG brands like Date Better Snacks create versions of the popular confection in a variety of flavors from Almond Java Crunch to Royal Cinnamon Baklava.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Neptune also blurs lines, which is why its influence can feel mysterious or even confusing at times.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The threats have left operators confused and frozen, unwilling to attempt passage, due to safety fears and uncertainty about Iran's new fee system.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Western analysts and officials say Ukraine has in recent months recorded battlefield successes against Russia’s bigger army, disrupting a spring offensive started by Russia amid improving weather, as fields dry out and new foliage on tree lines offers more cover.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Florida didn't want to pay any homage to Quick during the game, so as not to disrupt the goalie's typical routines.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That mess led to sacrifice flies by Christian Walker and Cam Smith, giving Houston a 2-0 lead.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
-
There is no way Swalwell could have represented his constituents, much less run for higher office, while mired in this mess.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the frenetic haze of the intensive care unit -- burned and bruised, his pelvis broken -- Marc Schiller tried to tell his story of abduction and torture to nurses, doctors -- anyone who might listen.—
Troy Roberts,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Light-bloom torture-test shots of colorful objects against completely black backgrounds also produced significant haze that tapered off gradually across the screen.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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