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muddied

IPA:

Dictionary definition of muddied

To make something unclear, confused, or ambiguous.
"His biased reporting muddied the facts and skewed the public's understanding of the situation."

Detailed meaning of muddied

It involves introducing elements or factors that complicate understanding or create confusion. When something is muddied, the information, situation, or concept becomes clouded, making it difficult to perceive or interpret accurately. This can occur through the deliberate dissemination of misleading or contradictory information, the introduction of irrelevant details, or the mixing of different perspectives or narratives. The purpose of muddying a topic or issue is often to obfuscate the truth, manipulate perceptions, or sow doubt among individuals. It is a tactic frequently employed in political debates, media discourse, or contentious discussions where the intention is to blur lines, undermine credibility, or prevent a clear understanding from emerging. By muddying the waters, individuals or groups can obscure facts and complicate the resolution of conflicts, making it challenging for others to form informed opinions or make well-grounded decisions.

Example sentences containing muddied

1. The conflicting statements muddied the waters of the investigation, making it difficult to determine the truth.
2. The politician's evasive answers only muddied the issue further.
3. The misinformation campaign muddied public opinion on the proposed policy changes.
4. The sudden influx of contradictory data muddied the scientific consensus on the subject.
5. The heated argument muddied the original intent of the discussion.
6. The deliberate spreading of rumors muddied the reputation of the company.

History and etymology of muddied

The verb 'muddied' finds its etymological roots in the Old English word 'mūðian,' which meant 'to make muddy' or 'to soil with mud.' This term was derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'mudōną,' which had a similar meaning. Over time, the figurative sense of the word developed, and 'muddied' came to be used metaphorically to describe the act of making something unclear, confused, or ambiguous. This linguistic evolution reflects how language adapts and extends the meanings of words to suit the changing needs of communication.

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Further usage examples of muddied

1. The complex legal jargon muddied the understanding of the case for the jury.
2. The sensationalist headlines muddied the reality of the situation.
3. The intentional omission of key details muddied the journalist's credibility.
4. The emotional outburst muddied the clarity of the negotiation process.
5. The deliberate misinterpretation of statistics muddied the public's perception of the economic situation.
6. His vague explanations only muddied the situation further.
7. The conflicting reports muddied the details of the incident.
8. Emotions ran high, and words exchanged only muddied matters.
9. Attempts to simplify the process ended up muddied by bureaucracy.
10. The sudden change in strategy muddied our project's direction.
11. Miscommunications muddied our understanding of the task.
12. Rumors and gossip muddied the truth about their relationship.
13. Her evasive answers muddied the waters of the interview.
14. The complex regulations muddied the path to compliance.
15. Multiple interpretations muddied the meaning of the text.
16. The heated argument muddied the resolution of the conflict.
17. The rush to publish muddied the accuracy of the news.
18. His contradictory statements muddied his credibility.
19. The technical jargon muddied the manual's instructions.
20. Poor documentation muddied the software's usability.
21. The layers of bureaucracy muddied the decision-making process.
22. Adding more details muddied the simplicity of the design.
23. External factors muddied our financial forecasts.
24. His reluctance to share information muddied our collaboration.
25. The emotional baggage muddied their relationship dynamics.