muddle

1 of 2

verb

mud·​dle ˈmə-dᵊl 

muddled; muddling ˈməd-liŋ 

ˈmə-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to make turbid or muddy

muddled the brook with his splashings

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

intransitive verb

: to think or act in a confused aimless way

She muddled along for a year before going to college.

muddler

ˈməd-lər 

ˈmə-dᵊl-ər

noun

muddle

2 of 2

noun

1

: a state of especially mental confusion

2

: a confused mess

muddly

ˈməd-lē 

ˈmə-dᵊl-ē

adjective

Synonyms of muddle

Verb

• confuse
• baffle
• puzzle
• perplex
• bewilder

Noun

• jumble
• mess
• havoc
• confusion
• hell
• chaos

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

Verb

That reasoning is muddled, but according to Kneecap, they weren’t supposed to find out about this letter. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 May 2026

Especially among activists and academics, this explosion of identities has muddled Crenshaw’s neat system of greater and lesser disadvantage. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Noun

Nonpartisan voter guides from outlets such as CalMatters and KPBS depict the race as offering sharp policy contrasts rather than an indistinct muddle. —Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026

On top of everything else, the film is a muddle of languages — French, German and English — depending on who speaks to whom. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably from obsolete Dutch moddelen, from Middle Dutch, from modde mud; akin to Middle Low German mudde

First Known Use

Verb

1676, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing muddle

• in a muddle
• muddle along
• muddle through

Rhymes for muddle

• cuddle
• huddle
• puddle

Kids Definition

muddle

1 of 2 verb

mud·​dle ˈməd-ᵊl 

muddled; muddling ˈməd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to be or cause to be confused or bewildered : stupefy

muddled by too much advice

2

: to mix up in a confused way

muddle the household accounts

3

: to think or act in a confused way : bungle

muddle through a task

muddler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

muddle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a state of confusion or bewilderment

2

: a confused mess : jumble