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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddle
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024
Or perhaps the current muddle will continue, to the further detriment of British soft power and global influence, already dwindling after the country’s departure from the European Union.
—Simon J. Potter, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2023
Courtenay Brown, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024
While the critical response to Gladiator is somewhat muddled (it is typically considered to be in the middle of the pack of Best Picture winners), no other gladiator movie quite captures the gory glory of Rome.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muddle 
Noun
Johnny Depp To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award & Screen ‘Modi’ At Rome Film Festival
Watch on Deadline
Just to be clear, Modi is not the terrible muddle of self-aggrandizement that was widely expected — not all of it, anyway.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024
Or perhaps the current muddle will continue, to the further detriment of British soft power and global influence, already dwindling after the country’s departure from the European Union.
—Simon J. Potter, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2023
Verb
What to watch: The October jobs report was muddled by hurricane and strike disruptions.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024
While the critical response to Gladiator is somewhat muddled (it is typically considered to be in the middle of the pack of Best Picture winners), no other gladiator movie quite captures the gory glory of Rome.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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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
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Think of it instead as a Rube Goldberg machine, reimagining doodles as dense jumbles of steps and if-then rules.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
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Avoid using jargon or complex language that could result in any confusion.James Bryant, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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There was also confusion concerning Blaise’s whereabouts when Bailey died.Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Over the years, Amazon’s transformation has redefined how people shop by offering convenience, variety, and competitive pricing.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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This increased the supply of a variety of pigments and other raw materials for paints, which, along with new processing techniques, offered new opportunities for artists.Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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These tools blur the line between reality and fiction, which can confuse audiences, especially younger viewers.Gerui Wang, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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However, her version is not to be confused with the film’s official soundtrack.Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Sensory processing issues affect 1 in 20 people, including typically developing children, while audiovisual overstimulation can disrupt learning for all users, not just those with sensory sensitivities.Hashim Hayat, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Hot water strips the skin of its naturally hydrating oils and may also disrupt the skin barrier, a mix of cells and fats that form a protective outer layer on the skin.Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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To avoid making a big glittery mess, use a tablespoon to add 1-2 scoops of glitter to the water and glycerin mixture, and stir gently.Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
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In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Doug Brown, director of stewardship at the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, a nonprofit that maintains nearly 14,000 acres of wild land and over 60 miles of trails in this western Massachusetts county, stares into the distant haze, shielding his eyes from the sun.Sophie Ungerleider, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
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The best conditions to see the night sky will be with clear skies without clouds or haze.Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Neptune direct removes the fog from your sixth house of health habits and work dynamics.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
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As the sun and Mercury align, the fog in your mind parts.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near muddle
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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