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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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
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Recent Examples of muddle
Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
Instead of definition, the staging gives us a muddle of free-floating feeling.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
While picking a photographer, my feed led me to thousands of options that muddled my mind.
—Shradha Shahani, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for muddle 
Noun
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
Instead of definition, the staging gives us a muddle of free-floating feeling.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
The bottom of the NFL this year is muddled and convoluted.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
While picking a photographer, my feed led me to thousands of options that muddled my mind.
—Shradha Shahani, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
-
Minimize noise and clutter Dr. Small says environmental triggers like loud sounds and jumbles of papers and clothing can increase sundowning symptoms.—
Cathy Habas,
SELF,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Owners’ names now read like jumbles of computer code, retirement homes or rock bands: Silver Sage, Dream Homes, Blue Apple, P Fin VII, Wref II, 3xs2, Vivid, Straight Red Lines, TKJK, Jags Proper.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2024
Noun
-
The issue is Jurgens is dealing with a back injury, hence the confusion about his playing at all.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Despite those warnings, the oil company went on to lead a decades-long campaign to sow public confusion about global warming.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
These varieties produce drab-looking but tasty fruiting bodies called truffles, which mammals like dogs or boars will find by smell—then dig up and eat.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Jan. 2025
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Additionally, subscription models allow guests to visit a variety of lounges around the world without splurging on first-class airfare.—
Pascal Bélanger,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
After a whirlwind of speculation and confusing back-and-forth negotiations, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Some residents have confused local law enforcement for ICE agents, said Earl Stoddard, an assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County, a sign of locals' anxieties that their neighborhood could be the agency's next target.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
West End production of The Tempest was disrupted by climate crisis protesters on Monday night.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The shooting marks the latest example of everyday tasks being disrupted by gunfire in the US.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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By Jeffrey Kluger January 17, 2025 1:12 PM EST A lot of hardware destined for space went to pieces this week, but to hear the rocket companies responsible for the messes tell it, little untoward happened at all.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
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And who made the mess in question in the first place?—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Later, as slow-motion scenes of a horse overlay cancan dancers and the men bond through a haze of booze and fresh air, Pierre reminisces on the prairies and the stars.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Later in June, much of the Midwest was blanketed by a dangerous haze of air pollution.—
Vox Staff,
Vox,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Choosing a location away from bright city lights is in our control, but factors like fog and clouds that could shade the northern lights are up to Mother Nature.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
-
This tragedy, caused by a lethal combination of pilot error, dense fog, and miscommunication with air traffic control, stands as a stark reminder of why runway safety demands our urgent attention.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near muddle
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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