muddy the waters

phrase

: to make a situation more confusing or difficult

Examples of muddy the waters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The biggest factor that muddies the waters in Wallace’s murder case isn’t the lack of a plausible motive, but rather how to prove it and the identities beyond the actual participants, beyond the shadow of a doubt. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2026 To muddy the waters further, there have been instances when both regional and departmental teams have played against each other in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Yet, rather than focus on what occurred and a path forward, the industry is choosing to focus on other variables that muddy the waters. — Shlomo Kramer, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Tariffs, artificial intelligence, and immigration are also muddying the waters for policymakers. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for muddy the waters

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muddy the waters was in 1653

Rhymes for muddy the waters

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Browse Nearby Words

muddy-minded
muddy the waters
mud eel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Muddy the waters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muddy%20the%20waters. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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