muddle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of muddlenext
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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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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muddle

2 of 2

verb

ˈmə-dᵊl How to pronounce muddle (audio)
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

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 muddle
Noun
In this case, there's a bit of a muddle of old and new tools. — David Nield, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2025 Among those muddles: Who exactly are Sylvie’s parents? — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 July 2024
Verb
La Niña and its counterpart El Niño typically have a predictable and outsized effect on winter weather in the US, but this La Niña is quite weak, which muddles its influence. — Mary Gilbert, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025 San Diego Padres Ownership Situation Murky While Preller offers no excuses, the Padres’ ownership situation is muddled, and the club has been in cost-cutting mode since the death of chairman Peter Seidler in 2023. — John Perrotto, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
  1. jumble
  2. confusion
  3. variety
  4. confuse
  5. disrupt
  6. mess
  7. haze
  8. fog
Noun
  • Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.
    — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.
    — Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of jumble
Noun
  • This can cause dementia, confusion, and visual and hearing problems.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Further confusion, delays or uncertainty will be consuming your path now, Sagittarius.
    — Kyle Thomas, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • Beers and ciders on tap at Belmont lean heavily toward local and regional, and the variety is well-curated.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Summary Wounds that heal slower do so for a variety of reasons.
    — Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of variety
Verb
  • Boat-Friendly Boca Grande To live in Boca Grande (not to be confused with Boca Raton, the resort on Florida’s east coast) is to be on the water.
    — Mary Forgione, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Zoom in: The confusing back-and-forth nature of the federal cuts has created an unpredictable obstacle course for TSU leaders.
    — Adam Tamburin, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Doctors, hospitals and other providers don't want to disrupt their practices' workflow and payment logistics with cost discussions and paperwork, especially after services have been provided.
    — Michelle Andrews, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Removing this dam would not only disrupt that balance but could also have severe consequences for the City of Elgin.
    — Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • With all pieces enclosed under a sturdy acrylic cover, there’s no mess or lost parts.
    — Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 10 Mar. 2025
  • After all, the door can be shut to disguise the mess.
    — Shea Simmons, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of mess
Noun
  • Documented by astronaut Eugene Cernan on Apollo 17, this refers to an illuminated haze during lunar sunset.
    — Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Passengers could be seen covering their mouths and noses to protect themselves from the haze.
    — Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of haze
Noun
  • But after spending most of the day under low stratus clouds, patchy fog and coastal drizzle caused by onshore flow, New Yorkers will likely need an umbrella for the evening hours, as a cold front coming from the west is expected to dump up to three-quarters of an inch of rain.
    — Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • National Weather Service has warned that visibility has dropped to 1/4 mile or less amid the fog.
    — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of fog

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“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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