muddy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmə-dē How to pronounce muddy (audio)
Definition of muddynext
1
as in mucky
full of or covered with soft wet earth please do not walk in the house with muddy boots on, as you will get the carpet dirty

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2
as in turbid
having visible particles in liquid suspension whether muddy or not, water taken from lakes and streams should be boiled by campers

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3
as in dusty
not clean we were all muddy after playing outside

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muddy

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty my mind had been thoroughly muddied by the long hours of exacting work

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2
as in to blur
to make (something) unclear to the understanding that argument is irrelevant and will just muddy the issue we're trying to resolve

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3
as in to dirty
to make dirty forgot to take off our shoes and accidentally muddied the kitchen floor

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of muddy
Adjective
In Charlotte, his lead sounded somehow both muddy and washed out, frequently buried beneath the band. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Aug. 2026 In 2018, one episode was taped in a jeep while driving on a muddy road in Kenya and shaking back and forth. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
In essence, the excellent second season is dedicated to muddying the myth of heroes and villains, in that heroes don’t have to put themselves above anyone in order to lead. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026 Bird baths should be placed at least 10 to 15 feet away from nearby feeders to keep bird seed and other debris from muddying up the water. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for muddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddy
  1. mucky
  2. turbid
  3. dusty
  4. confuse
  5. blur
  6. dirty
  7. slimy
  8. murky
Adjective
  • Still, my sneakers can feel way too heavy in the humidity and heat, and open-toe sandals aren’t the smartest option in mucky subway stations.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 22 July 2026
  • When Mom spoke, her voice came out thick and mucky.
    — Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of mucky
Adjective
  • Since then, shifting groundwater and agricultural activity nearby have made the water increasingly turbid.
    — Sarah Evans, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Why does Mitch find the view beautiful, though the water is turbid and he is enveloped in the scent of incense and candles?
    — Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Definition of turbid
Adjective
  • One Baguette is covered in a kaleidoscopic geometric pattern of colorful beads; another resembles a tiny textile artwork in dusty pink, green, and turquoise.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • One rises, then another, then seemingly all of them—great striped bulbs of crimson, lemon yellow, and turquoise drifting between the fairy chimneys as the first sunlight catches the dusty pink folds of the landscape.
    — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of dusty
Verb
  • Then began the desperate, confusing search for their colleagues.
    — Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Founders frequently misjudge their business's worth, often confusing revenue with actual value.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • As dark occurrences begin to shatter the quiet of their isolated home, the boy is forced to navigate a harrowing psychological nightmare where the line between real-world madness and supernatural terror blurs.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Here the view from an automobile traveling at speed blurs the landscape into a series of abstract forms—the way the world appears is changed by the velocity of technology, and so is your experience of it.
    — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of blur
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Adjective
  • Cucumbers Due to their high water content, cucumbers turn mushy and slimy once frozen.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Salmon that has turned will be slimy and mushy instead of firm, discolored, and emit a truly terrible, almost-sour fishy smell.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of slimy
Adjective
  • The presence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, deep sleeper Kaytron Allen and White may make the Commanders backfield murkier than the Reflecting Pool, but their roles are clearer than most suspect.
    — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The situation is also murky for those living outside their favorite team’s region.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of murky

Browse Nearby Words

muddling
muddy
muddying
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Cite this Entry

“Muddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddy. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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