muddle

[muhd-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.

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

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

Many doctors lamented how once-clear vaccine guidelines have become muddled and confusing.

From Los Angeles Times

But as Helen would probably attest, sometimes a muddle mixed with spirits, bitters and twists makes a smashing cocktail.

From Salon

The lemons aren’t just used for juicing; their peels are also muddled with sugar, allowing the essential oils of the lemon to come out and produce a more fragrant flavor.

From Salon

In portraying these intractable figures in equivalent moral terms, Galsworthy reveals, if not his privileged background, then his muddled thinking on economic justice.

From Los Angeles Times

These movies are often some of the sole mainstream fare where right and left political ideologies collide, a safe space where politics remain intentionally muddled, if present at all.

From Salon

Related Words

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