1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
I didn't like walking around the murky campground without a flashlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the murky shadows of the cemetery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hazy
filled with or dimmed by fine particles (as of dust or water) in suspension
skies made murky from the smoke of forest fires that were many miles to the west
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
a murky reply to a question about his intentions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
a gubernatorial candidate with a murky position on the hot-button issue of capital punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of murky
From these murky origins, homemade baked beans began putting down roots in American cuisine—you’ll find early recipes in The American Frugal Housewife from 1829, The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book from 1896, and more.
—
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Though Democrats have floundered to find a national party leader to rally behind since Trump won the 2024 election, Republicans are similarly dealing with a murky 2028 picture.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2025
Wednesday’s performances by Starz and Disney shares represented a bright spot in an otherwise murky 2025 for media stocks.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Audiences hoping for a gonzo bloodbath will be disappointed that Finnegan keeps his morality murky.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for murky
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Though Democrats have floundered to find a national party leader to rally behind since Trump won the 2024 election, Republicans are similarly dealing with a murky 2028 picture.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2025
Wednesday’s performances by Starz and Disney shares represented a bright spot in an otherwise murky 2025 for media stocks.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Audiences hoping for a gonzo bloodbath will be disappointed that Finnegan keeps his morality murky.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for murky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murky
Adjective
-
Large amounts of larvae were in dark crevices inside the homes, including under appliances or furniture.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
10 May 2025
-
Where to watch: Max 'Another Simple Favor' In Paul Feig's dark comedy mystery sequel, crime-solving mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is shocked when fresh-out-of-jail frenemy Emily (Blake Lively) invites her to be maid of honor at her wedding in Capri.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Better yet, each of their seven studio albums was better than the previous one, culminating with 1992’s Dynamo — seeped in shoegaze guitars — and 1995’s psychedelic magnum opus Sueño Stereo, a dreamlike, hazy swan song for the ages.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
3 May 2025
-
The vintage/modern taproom located in Maui’s upcountry serves up a variety of brews, including a hazy IPA, imperial stout, brown ale, blonde, lager and several sours.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The two were previously involved in a morally ambiguous mission gone wrong, which led to Vincent murdering an undercover cop.—
Skyler Trepel,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Some vague stripes run down its spine, blurring together toward its tail.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
-
The instructions were vague and didn’t have many helpful illustrations.—
Kate Puhala,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
-
If Southampton fail to eke out a point on Saturday in the clash of the doomed, things look decidedly bleak.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
The rain, which arrived in the North Bay part of the region late Sunday was expected to migrate to the South Bay and drop light, misty rain measuring in the tenths of inches through the afternoon, NWS meteorologist Dial Hoang said.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The present-day Affleck and titular accountant from The Accountant 2 seems to briefly reach out and touch the Sad Affleck of days of yore in this final memory, his eyes almost misty and voice quiet.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The crime scene was made more terrifying by a cryptic message the killer scrawled across a wall near the victims that demanded drug money.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
-
Amid all the trade rumors going on, Antetokounmpo has made a cryptic social media post.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, hung on the walls are vintage Italian posters and the floor is composed of alternating rust, black, and white tiles; walls are painted with a faint green Venetian plaster.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
-
The piece resembling an Aeolian harp is a tall rectangle, and its strings should make faint sounds as the wind blows through them.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Murky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murky. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share