as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a muddled arrangement of trophies in the display case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in confused
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disrupted
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddled
Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Why is the messaging so muddled here?
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Voters are also distressed by the decline in their quality of life, as well as the country’s muddled political landscape – a fact indicated by the twenty candidates for president alone.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Ridley recommends using gel polishes for a deer print mani, since the curing step locks each layer in, keeping them from blurring together and becoming a muddled mess.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
True coffee enthusiasts know that a good coffee grinder plays a huge role in the extraction process and preventing a muddled flavor.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2026
Tonight, Bluebland’s glasses reflect a muddled crowd.
—Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
The muddled history of the token’s origination is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
But the thinking behind the category itself remains muddled, and the rollout hasn’t helped.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2025
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
At the moment, however, the apex of the 2026 draft order is muddled.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
However impressively efficient the American strike may have been, the president’s motives have been muddled.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The situation might be a bit more muddled by the US wanting to resume nuclear testing.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Still, economists say the report could be more than a little muddled this time around.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Suddenly, the whole point of Olympia and Matty’s mission is muddled.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Bernstein’s Mark Moerdler echoed the sentiment that Oracle’s last quarter was overall a decent one, but was muddled by complex controversies.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
As a result of financial and personal problems, Bíró's invention ended up muddled in a number of international patents and licensing agreements in different companies and individuals in various countries.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Visit our website Republicans, by contrast, offer a muddled message.
—Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Why is the messaging so muddled here?
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Voters are also distressed by the decline in their quality of life, as well as the country’s muddled political landscape – a fact indicated by the twenty candidates for president alone.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Ridley recommends using gel polishes for a deer print mani, since the curing step locks each layer in, keeping them from blurring together and becoming a muddled mess.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
True coffee enthusiasts know that a good coffee grinder plays a huge role in the extraction process and preventing a muddled flavor.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2026
Tonight, Bluebland’s glasses reflect a muddled crowd.
—Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
The muddled history of the token’s origination is just the tip of the iceberg.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
But the thinking behind the category itself remains muddled, and the rollout hasn’t helped.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
Peterson's lawyers argued his role as an armed school resource officer did not amount to a caregiving post needed to prove child neglect in Florida, and that the response to the shooting was muddled by poor communication.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
At the moment, however, the apex of the 2026 draft order is muddled.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
However impressively efficient the American strike may have been, the president’s motives have been muddled.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
The situation might be a bit more muddled by the US wanting to resume nuclear testing.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Still, economists say the report could be more than a little muddled this time around.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Suddenly, the whole point of Olympia and Matty’s mission is muddled.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Bernstein’s Mark Moerdler echoed the sentiment that Oracle’s last quarter was overall a decent one, but was muddled by complex controversies.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
As a result of financial and personal problems, Bíró's invention ended up muddled in a number of international patents and licensing agreements in different companies and individuals in various countries.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddled
Adjective
-
How does Carolyn’s hair actually look better a little messy?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Saturday is expected to be the nicest day of the week, with mostly sunny skies and a high around 51, but Sunday could be messy.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These earrings are often confused by a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings once owned and worn by Princess Diana—which Kate also wears from time to time.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
-
According to the department, a CCPD officer quickly found the woman confused and cold, but otherwise unharmed.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The business for L’Oréal — a bellwether — remained soft in 2025, especially due to the channel in China being temporarily disrupted by the suspension of the duty-free members app Sunrise and a change in domestic airport operators.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara flights have continued to be disrupted, with the alert citing flight-crew availability.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Buyers who understand neighborhood-level competition, secure financing early and structure offers carefully are best positioned to succeed in a market that remains competitive — but no longer chaotic.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Omar Casillas was running a half marathon, about to cross the finish line when things became chaotic.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite reading Whitney’s letter at least twice, Henry — a narcissist — seems baffled that Whitney is not more contrite.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Yet Howe, his coaches and recruitment staff were baffled by such early criticism.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Teenage athletes, whose bodies are pushed to the breaking point and then shuffled out of the sport when new talent arises, bear the brunt of the pressure.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
That means there aren’t going to be just a few chairs shuffled around; my suspicion is much of the roster likely will be overhauled in the next few years.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The words sound like magnetic fridge poetry—jumbled and foreign in her mouth.—
Olivia Horn,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Yet all this beauty ultimately does not save a jumbled narrative.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Six of the eight worst games were at Angel Stadium, which also puzzled Soriano.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Peters recalled getting the recordings and being puzzled… again.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddled. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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