muddle

[ muhd-l ]

/ ˈmʌd l /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR muddle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), mud·dled, mud·dling.

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

to cause to become mentally confused.

to cause to become confused or stupid with or as if with an intoxicating drink.

to make muddy or turbid, as water.

to mix or stir (a cocktail, chocolate, etc.).

Ceramics. to smooth (clay) by rubbing it on glass.

verb (used without object), mud·dled, mud·dling.

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

the state or condition of being muddled, especially a confused mental state.

a confused, disordered, or embarrassing condition; mess.

Verb Phrases

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.

Nearby words

mud-wrestling, mudanjiang, mudcap, mudcat, mudder, muddle, muddle along, muddle through, muddled, muddlehead, muddleheaded

Origin of muddle

1540–50; mud + -le; cognate with Middle Dutch moddelen to muddy

SYNONYMS FOR muddle

1 confuse, botch, bungle, spoil.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR muddle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

mud·dled·ness, mud·dle·ment, nounmud·dling·ly, adverbpre·mud·dle, noun, verb (used with object), pre·mud·dled, pre·mud·dling.un·mud·dled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for muddled

Her own muddled feelings of confusion, shame, and fear are what make the essay great and what make the essay her story.
The Right's Rape Trolls vs. Lena Dunham|Emily Shire|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This obviously closed off some important avenues of inquiry, but I guess we muddled through.
American Poet: Remembering Lou Reed|Kurt Loder|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That was clear and pretty popular, whereas today, the GOP message is muddled and unpopular.
Washington’s Other Car Crash: Obama vs. the Boehner Rule|Michael Tomasky|October 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He lacked basic political skills, and his unforced errors and muddled messaging unnecessarily antagonized conservatives.
Jon Huntsman Holds His Ground as Republicans Come Around to His Views|David Catanese|April 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It's a complicated post, but I'll attach the muddled conclusions and let you decide.
Don't Overestimate Gerrymandering|Justin Green|February 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ten pounds were worth so much to that muddled, penurious household standing behind her on the verge of utmost poverty!
The Second Fiddle|Phyllis Bottome
Wardo shook his muddled head solemnly over this problem old as the ages.
Nicanor - Teller of Tales|C. Bryson Taylor
Their own thinking was so muddled, their views of life so out of gear.
The Harbor|Ernest Poole
In fact, you were more than once a trifle—shall we say 'muddled.'
The Sign of the Spider|Bertram Mitford
Muddled up with "Chioggian wars," as seemed mostly blue fire and bright tin.
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 103, August 27, 1892|Various

British Dictionary definitions for muddled

muddle

/ (ˈmʌdəl) /

verb (tr)

(often foll by up) to mix up (objects, items, etc); jumble

to confuse

to make (water) muddy or turbulent

US to mix or stir (alcoholic drinks, etc)

noun

a state of physical or mental confusion

Derived Forms

muddled, adjectivemuddledness or muddlement, nounmuddling, adjective, nounmuddlingly, adverb

muddly, adjective

Word Origin for muddle

C16: perhaps from Middle Dutch moddelen to make muddy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012