muddle

[ muhd-l ]

verb (used with object)

, mud·dled, mud·dling.

1. to mix up in a confused or bungling manner; jumble.

   Synonyms: disorder, disarray, chaos, haze, fog, daze, bungle, botch, confuse, disorganization, mess up

2. to cause to become mentally confused.
3. to cause to become confused or stupid with or as if with an intoxicating drink.
4. to make muddy or turbid, as water.
5. 1. to mix, crush, or mash (an ingredient) into a drink, especially with a muddler.
   2. to mix or stir (a cocktail, chocolate, etc.).
6. Ceramics. to smooth (clay) by rubbing it on glass.

verb (used without object)

, mud·dled, mud·dling.

1. to behave, proceed, or think in a confused or aimless fashion or with an air of improvisation:

   Some people just muddle along, waiting for their big break.

noun

1. the state or condition of being muddled, especially a confused mental state.
2. a confused, disordered, or embarrassing condition; mess.

   Antonyms: order

verb phrase

1. to achieve a certain degree of success but without much skill, polish, experience, or direction:

   None of us knew much about staging a variety show, so we just had to muddle through.

muddle

/ ˈmʌdəl /

verb

1. often foll by up to mix up (objects, items, etc); jumble
2. to confuse
3. to make (water) muddy or turbulent
4. to mix or stir (alcoholic drinks, etc)

noun

1. a state of physical or mental confusion

Derived Forms

• ˈmuddling, adjectivenoun
• ˈmuddlingly, adverb
• ˈmuddled, adjective
• ˈmuddledness, noun
• ˈmuddly, adjective

Other Words From

• mud·dled·ness mud·dle·ment noun
• mud·dling·ly adverb
• pre·mud·dle noun verb (used with object) premuddled premuddling

Word History and Origins

Origin of muddle¹

First recorded in 1540–50; mud + -le; cognate with Middle Dutch moddelen “to muddy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of muddle¹

C16: perhaps from Middle Dutch moddelen to make muddy

Example Sentences

Angry at the lack of direction, angry at muddled decision-making, angry at the on-pitch struggles, it seems few in Rome want owners the Friedkins to stay - no matter the money spent.

From BBC

Are the Rams better than the team that muddled through an ugly Monday night loss to Miami?

From Los Angeles Times

Sure, Harris muddles her responses to reporters’ questions she’s apparently afraid to answer directly.

From Los Angeles Times

But this measure is a Byzantine quagmire of foggy muddle.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of definition, the staging gives us a muddle of free-floating feeling.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• befuddle
• clutter
• complicate
• derange
• discombobulate
• disturb
• fluster
• perturb