muddled

[muhd-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.

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unmuddled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of muddled¹

muddle ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

However, earnings have been telling a more muddled story.

Read more on MarketWatch

This train of thought may sound childish, but bear in mind that Penelope had muddled through without her parents for many a year.

Read more on Literature

She spelled it “biskit,” but Penelope was still too muddled to correct her.

Read more on Literature

The list features leaders and thinkers whose ideas have impacted the way the government, companies and American society at large are grappling with technological change, higher prices, a U.S. economy sending muddled signals, and more.

Read more on MarketWatch

The landscape is so muddled that the Kansas City Chiefs are the current betting favorites to win the Super Bowl even though they wouldn’t even qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blurred www.thesaurus.com
• chaotic 
• convoluted 
• disorganized 
• jumbled www.thesaurus.com
• messy