muddle

American  

[muhd-l] / ˈmʌd l /

verb (used with object)

muddled, muddling

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

   Synonyms:

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

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.

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verb (used without object)

muddled, muddling

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. muddle through  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 British  

/ 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)

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noun

1. a state of physical or mental confusion

Other Word Forms

• muddled adjective
• muddledness noun
• muddlement noun
• muddling adjective
• muddlingly adverb
• muddly adjective
• premuddle noun

Etymology

Origin of muddle

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

Example Sentences

While Buckley and Mescal muddle through a dense script aiming for authenticity, Jupe lives it, delivering every line with a seasoned actor’s veracity.

From Salon

Just two weeks before a pivotal meeting, the Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy has been just muddling along as of late.

From MarketWatch

But Intel’s experience also illustrates that companies can muddle through a period of overspending.

From The Wall Street Journal

Big picture: The economy might perk up in 2026 as trade wars fade and new tax breaks kick in, but the U.S. is likely to muddle through to the new year.

From MarketWatch

It has also left Slot's thinking looking muddled.

From BBC

Related Words

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