1
as in confusing
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
my mind had been thoroughly muddied by the long hours of exacting work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obfuscating
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
that argument is irrelevant and will just muddy the issue we're trying to resolve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in staining
to make dirty
forgot to take off our shoes and accidentally muddied the kitchen floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddying
Injuries are muddying the market for players such as Coby White, who has played fewer than half of the games this season because of recurring calf injuries.
—
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
But seen another way, this release is also optimally confusing, muddying the waters with as-yet-unverified information that’s being disseminated via individual screenshots on social media, making the whole thing easier to dismiss.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
This will prevent muddying the pieces if any color bleeding occurs while washing.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The goal is to allow the whales to hunt more easily, without a cacophony of boat motors muddying their echolocation.
—Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
When asked about the more recent changes in the color grading industry, Doyle says an entirely new market is muddying the waters.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Beijing would be relieved that the United States is no longer muddying and in fact strengthening its nonsupport for independence.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
Further damning revelations are about to land, no doubt further muddying the waters.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
But now some of the world’s most prominent hotel brands are muddying the waters.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
But seen another way, this release is also optimally confusing, muddying the waters with as-yet-unverified information that’s being disseminated via individual screenshots on social media, making the whole thing easier to dismiss.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
This will prevent muddying the pieces if any color bleeding occurs while washing.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The goal is to allow the whales to hunt more easily, without a cacophony of boat motors muddying their echolocation.
—Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
When asked about the more recent changes in the color grading industry, Doyle says an entirely new market is muddying the waters.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Beijing would be relieved that the United States is no longer muddying and in fact strengthening its nonsupport for independence.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
Further damning revelations are about to land, no doubt further muddying the waters.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
But now some of the world’s most prominent hotel brands are muddying the waters.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddying
Verb
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Perplexity’s image features photographs of people with some truly nightmarish distortions on its wall, while the placement of its sink is confusing and distracting.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
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This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The state says the foundation did this because Aerial Recovery, the nonprofit, had been obfuscating its name.—
Evan Mealins,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
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Some data types can be encrypted randomly, obfuscating enough of the data to stymie hackers—such as using only the last four digits of your credit to confirm your purchase identity.—
Srinivas Shekar,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Remove any heavy objects from the sides of your tub, as these items can cause chips or cracking that can contribute to staining.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Additionally, these shoes are machine washable, so don’t worry about staining the gorgeous light pink shoes on your next adventure!—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As if dark energy weren't already mysterious and baffling enough, new research suggests that this unknown force may not be driving galaxies apart at an accelerating rate anymore.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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One morning, members of the Fort Greely missile defense base spot an ICBM of unknown origin on a suborbital trajectory heading straight for Chicago, baffling the country’s top intelligence and defense teams who only have 18 minutes to respond before impact.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The almost imperceptible pigment is an immediate boost of pore- and fine line-blurring prowess.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Among other things, conservatives accused the consultancy of operating as a multibillion-dollar dark money ATM for left-wing causes, allowing foreign money to flow into American politics, and blurring the lines between charitable work and political advocacy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some people say puzzling offers more than simple entertainment.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
-
But the decision to leave Robertson at home is a puzzling one that has enraged both Stars fans and hockey fans across the country.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That’s all great, but the Guardians aren’t ones to make free-agent splashes, and that’s especially the case with a potential work stoppage clouding everything after the 2026 season.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Innocent to a fault, Rosemary doesn’t see the resentment clouding her husband’s face.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
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Each footstep sent up clouds of dust and ash, coating everything, including my mouth and teeth, in fine grit, blackening my snot and saliva.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddying. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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