as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
we had trouble understanding the passage because of its murkiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
I didn't like walking around the murky campground without a flashlight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the murky shadows of the cemetery
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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
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4
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
a murky reply to a question about his intentions
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5
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
a gubernatorial candidate with a murky position on the hot-button issue of capital punishment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murkiness
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 June 2025
After a tough franchise debut in 2024, the 29-year-old’s roster outlook is a bit murky heading into the summer.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2025
The moves, which the retail giant's leaders announced this week, illustrate how the discounter sees opportunities to grow even while consumers tighten their wallets and the economic outlook appears murky.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Since President Donald Trump took office, at least half of the security council's staff have been laid off or left, and the future of BARDA is murky.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for murkiness
Adjective
The origin of human and dog relationships is surprisingly murky, despite its seemingly strong foundation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 June 2025
After a tough franchise debut in 2024, the 29-year-old’s roster outlook is a bit murky heading into the summer.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2025
The moves, which the retail giant's leaders announced this week, illustrate how the discounter sees opportunities to grow even while consumers tighten their wallets and the economic outlook appears murky.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Since President Donald Trump took office, at least half of the security council's staff have been laid off or left, and the future of BARDA is murky.
—Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for murkiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murkiness
Noun
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With a multigenerational workforce and increasingly younger workforce seeking transparency, consider creating cultures where ambiguity is discussed openly, not masked with false certainty.—
Arthi Rabikrisson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Lynch opened up a whole new space where ambiguity wasn’t just tolerated — it was embraced.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Named for the distinctive dark stripes running across the back of its head, this medium-sized goose is specially adapted for one of the most extreme migrations in the animal kingdom.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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White, pale blue, gray, and green swimsuits can be some of the hardest swimsuits to spot in a pool, while darker colors, like navy and black, can be difficult to detect in open water.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The legal basis for Trump’s continued extensions is hazy at best.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
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The band’s digital residency, ABBA Voyage, even inspired her outfits on the Short n’ Sweet tour, particularly the hazy light-blue costume that Agnetha Fältskog wears.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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The inconsistency of the geographical settings goes hand in hand with the how their American protagonists are depicted as inept operators whose heroism is ambiguous Soon after his arrival in Saigon, Andrews mistakes an advertisement for a dubious massage parlor as a clue from a local contact.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
18 June 2025
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That’s negativity bias in action—the cognitive reflex to prioritize potential threats over neutral or positive cues, especially when the situation is ambiguous.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Burnout is no longer a vague emotional state but a measurable physiological response driven by chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and cellular fatigue.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Many — most? — people have only a vague understanding of what the other is really up to.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.—
Jon Cohen,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
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That said, Google’s latest survey paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The quick turnaround from a night game, the wet, misty conditions and, most notably, National League Cy Young Award contender Paul Skenes on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
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The bright hue on her face was contrasted with a misty shadow on her eyelids and dark brown brows.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The cryptic introduction is a subtle nod to the bartenders that the patron is about to order one of four drinks from the Burning Blade secret menu.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
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The moment helped confirm a romance that had been rumored for several months following several cryptic Instagram posts.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Murkiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murkiness. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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