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

This lack of precision or definition makes for a great muddle of a category, but also an opportunity for politicians to appeal to a group of voters that may include somewhere between one-half to three-quarters of all Americans.

From Salon

But this measure is a Byzantine quagmire of foggy muddle.

From Los Angeles Times

Day in and day out, Times reporters use the passive voice to muddle responsibility for heinous acts committed by Republicans, find fault with “both sides,” and create false equivalencies between two parties, only one of which respects facts and the rule of law.

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

The presence of a third party, arguing that the defendant should be convicted of the top charge and be sentenced to the longest possible term of incarceration, would serve only to muddle the proceedings and cause delay.

From Slate

Related Words

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