muddled

American  

[muhd-ld] / ˈmʌd ld /

adjective

1. mixed up, confused, or disordered.

   The rejection is based on faulty underlying assumptions and muddled thinking.

2. muddy, clouded, or obscured; murky.

   After a long winter season, your pool is most likely a tub of muddled water with foliage and twigs floating about.

3. (of an ingredient) mixed, crushed, or mashed into a drink, especially with a muddler.

   The freshly muddled kiwi adds an unexpected flavor to this handmade cocktail.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of muddle.

Other Word Forms

• unmuddled adjective

Etymology

Origin of muddled

muddle ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The tanker’s arrival muddled the administration’s message and raised questions about the possibility of further fuel shipments.

From The Wall Street Journal

But that message likely got muddled as Powell started taking questions from journalists.

From MarketWatch

Mark Sobel, a former senior Treasury official, told AFP that "the administration's views on the dollar are confused, muddled and inconsistent".

From Barron's

Although founded on democratic principles, the U.S. itself has a long, muddled history with the concept.

From Los Angeles Times

Chalamet’s words were curt, but his opinion was only further muddled by the clip being spread out of context.

From Salon

Related Words

• blurred
• chaotic
• convoluted
• disorganized
• jumbled
• messy