1
as in confused
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty my mind had been thoroughly muddied by the long hours of exacting work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blurred
to make (something) unclear to the understanding that argument is irrelevant and will just muddy the issue we're trying to resolve
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stained
to make dirty forgot to take off our shoes and accidentally muddied the kitchen floor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 muddied
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026 San Antonio has three ball handlers capable of running offense in a postseason that begs teams to fight through muddied possessions. —The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026 Our photo shoot takes place in his vineyards, and Cucinelli makes the short drive there himself behind the wheel of a muddied silver Rolls-Royce. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026 The line between law enforcement and partisan vindictiveness can also become muddied. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 Her feet are bare, the toenails a little muddied. —Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025 Computers, desks, a washer and dryer were among the belongings in the muddied basement that were wrecked in the storm. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Jahd Khalil, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026 As if that wasn't enough, a spike in energy prices tied to the Middle East conflict has further muddied the economic outlook and put strain on consumers at the pump. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026 The presentation is muddied a bit by the strong bass and lack of stereo separation, which crowds the lower registers (something that’s not helped by the recording's acoustics). —Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026 Former Managing Director Fabio Paratici being suspended for most of his time as Spurs’ chief decision-maker muddied the waters further. —Joe Prince-Wright, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 The Iran conflict has muddied expectations of imminent US Federal Reserve rate cuts, with rising oil prices reviving inflation fears and forcing investors to reassess how quickly the Fed can ease policy. —Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026 There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised. —Mac Engel march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026 But the BAFTAs muddied the waters (Robert Aramayo, not in the Oscar mix, was the unexpected winner). —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026 The waters have been muddied even more since then because, in the time since the Toronto deal, Therme has apparently raised enough money — including through a partnership with private equity — to actually buy the German businesses. —Madeline Leung Coleman, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
There is a desperate need to protect first-party data, which becomes muddied when bots, rather than humans, navigate a site. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026 San Antonio has three ball handlers capable of running offense in a postseason that begs teams to fight through muddied possessions. —The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026 Our photo shoot takes place in his vineyards, and Cucinelli makes the short drive there himself behind the wheel of a muddied silver Rolls-Royce. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026 The line between law enforcement and partisan vindictiveness can also become muddied. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 Her feet are bare, the toenails a little muddied. —Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025 Computers, desks, a washer and dryer were among the belongings in the muddied basement that were wrecked in the storm. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Voters say campaigns have muddied the waters on the issue, from contradictory direct mail campaigns to a leading ballot question. —Jahd Khalil, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026 As if that wasn't enough, a spike in energy prices tied to the Middle East conflict has further muddied the economic outlook and put strain on consumers at the pump. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026 The presentation is muddied a bit by the strong bass and lack of stereo separation, which crowds the lower registers (something that’s not helped by the recording's acoustics). —Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026 Former Managing Director Fabio Paratici being suspended for most of his time as Spurs’ chief decision-maker muddied the waters further. —Joe Prince-Wright, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 The Iran conflict has muddied expectations of imminent US Federal Reserve rate cuts, with rising oil prices reviving inflation fears and forcing investors to reassess how quickly the Fed can ease policy. —Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026 There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised. —Mac Engel march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026 But the BAFTAs muddied the waters (Robert Aramayo, not in the Oscar mix, was the unexpected winner). —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026 The waters have been muddied even more since then because, in the time since the Toronto deal, Therme has apparently raised enough money — including through a partnership with private equity — to actually buy the German businesses. —Madeline Leung Coleman, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddied
Adjective
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This switch-up to the formula makes new episodes of The Comeback compelling to watch, even as the season’s big-picture storytelling remains a bit muddled.— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
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Bose Soundbar Deal The Bose TV Soundbar is the ultimate cure for muddled cinematic dialogue.— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Rockets were confused, Durant being a late scratch and their attack being lost without him, Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson combining for 38 shots and a bunch of misses.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
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Several residents say they were left scared and confused as strong winds and heavy rain moved through the area.— Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to Instagram, Hudson’s makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, volumized her lashes with a few swipes of a smudge-free mascara, blurred her pores using a mattifying powder, defined her pout with a long-lasting lip liner, and more.— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
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Calloway became internet-famous for her Instagram captions, elaborate personal storytelling, and a series of public controversies that blurred the boundary between confession and performance.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of them, Amy, a blond child with limp ponytails and a thin dress that looks like it might have been stained, stands outside a porch door, her fists balled up, mouth open, angry or unhappy or both.— Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
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These areas are most productive on sunny days or when the water’s stained.— Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Frail elderly women, swathed in headscarves and saris, worshipped while sitting on puddled pavement near corroded metal changing lockers plastered with ads for Glow & Lovely skin cream.— Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
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This length is easier to maintain and avoids the tripping hazards of puddled fabric while still looking polished.— Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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His award recognizes his contributions to settle several questions in differential geometry that had puzzled mathematicians since the 1970s and 1980s.— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
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The diminutive scale of Giacometti’s proposal—a nondescript bust atop a small square base—puzzled his colleagues.— Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The conflict has further clouded the outlook for private investments, which could make the adjustment tricker.— Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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No one is the hero, even Mary, who is arguably the least suspicious, ends up being the one who has a drug problem that definitely could have clouded her judgment.— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Loss of valuables in the ruins The exteriors of some buildings remained blackened from the flames.— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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The exteriors of some buildings remained blackened from the flames, a reminder of the tragedy.— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muddied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/muddied. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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