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
airmail.news, 26 Oct. 2024
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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 May 2025
The easiest and most expensive way is to buy Scrappy’s Firewater Tincture, but there’s a half dozen ways to get heat into a drink, like muddling a pepper in the tin, or infusing the spirit.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
Or, even better, quadruple down on the lies, insults, and hours-long muddles of sentence-fragment non sequiturs that pass for campaign speeches (Donald Trump, 37.3 percent).
—airmail.news, 26 Oct. 2024
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
Verb
Fresh mint can be steeped in teas, muddled for cocktails, or blended into desserts.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 May 2025
The easiest and most expensive way is to buy Scrappy’s Firewater Tincture, but there’s a half dozen ways to get heat into a drink, like muddling a pepper in the tin, or infusing the spirit.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 May 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
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Plus, the bars are shaped like an ‘S’ and a ‘C’, so there’s no confusion as to which is which.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
-
Industry opponents — including one company employing unconventional methods — are pushing for a veto, arguing the law would sow confusion in a growing market and ultimately harm consumers looking for a safe, effective product.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Available in a variety of colors, this snack cup combines functionality with fun, making snack time more appealing than ever.—
Toby Rose,
Parents,
22 May 2025
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For a variety of reasons, including delays tied to the need for workers with proper security clearances, Boeing may or may not be able to complete the order before the end of President Donald Trump’s second term.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Also, this word et cetera at the end of the sentence confused me.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
-
Weir was confused by the man’s unusual conviction, though.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Despite the sharp decline in sales, Capri’s inventories were up 1 percent at the end of the quarter, reflecting $60 million of goods that were brought in earlier than planned in a sourcing landscape that’s been disrupted by President Donald Trump’s trade war.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
28 May 2025
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What Could Move The Market? Several factors could disrupt the current market calm: European Tariff Deadline: President Trump has postponed the implementation of a 50% tariff on European Union goods to July 9, 2025.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
This daily upkeep keeps messes manageable and prevents them from accumulating to an overwhelming level.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 May 2025
-
Watching people getting clobbered with mops, or Stitch making messes and starting fires at the open-air beach resort where Nani works — the funny’s diminished in live-action.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Noun
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May in Chicago this year will be remembered for a rare dust storm, a gloomy haze from Canadian wildfires and unseasonably chilly temperatures throughout.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
There is a possibility of patchy smoke and haze on Friday across north-central and northeastern Missouri, as well as into central Missouri.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Noun
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If driving through fog becomes inevitable, remember these safety guidelines: Moderate your speed: Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
31 May 2025
-
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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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