muddled; muddling
ˈməd-liŋ 
ˈmə-dᵊl-iŋ
2
: to befog or stupefy (see stupefy sense 1) especially with liquor
The drink muddled him and his voice became loud and domineering.
3
: to mix confusedly
muddles the household accounts
4
: to make a mess of : bungle
muddled themselves into the most indefensible positions—
A. N. Whitehead
A. N. Whitehead
: to think or act in a confused aimless way
She muddled along for a year before going to college.
1
: a state of especially mental confusion
2
: a confused mess
Synonyms
Examples of muddle in a Sentence
Verb
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
Noun
His papers were in a muddle.
His mind was a muddle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Murphy’s recent shows at his legacy home base, FX, have been muddled and baroque, but on ABC, he’s got the goods, as evidenced by the premiere episode of his new show set on a luxury cruise ship.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Tara John, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
This indoor garden grows fresh herbs that your favorite foodies and home mixologists can use to garnish dishes or muddle in drinks.
—Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muddle 
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.
Verb
Fresh herbs, such as basil or mint, can be muddled to release their natural oils, adding a fresh aromatic element to cocktails.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Murphy’s recent shows at his legacy home base, FX, have been muddled and baroque, but on ABC, he’s got the goods, as evidenced by the premiere episode of his new show set on a luxury cruise ship.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Netanyahu has struggled to maintain a hold over his fragile, right-wing governing coalition and its muddle of competing interests, whose collapse could spell the end of his leadership.
—Tara John, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
This indoor garden grows fresh herbs that your favorite foodies and home mixologists can use to garnish dishes or muddle in drinks.
—Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muddle
Dictionary Entries Near muddle
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muddle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muddle
2 of 2 noun1
: a state of confusion or bewilderment
2
: a confused mess : jumble
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share