What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
muddled
Example
I'm feeling muddled after trying to solve this math problem. [muddled: adjective]
Example
The instructions were so muddled that I couldn't follow them. [muddled: adjective]
confused
Example
I'm confused about what the teacher meant by that statement. [confused: adjective]
Example
The directions were so confusing that I got lost. [confusing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confused is more commonly used than muddled in everyday language. Confused is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while muddled is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between muddled and confused?
Both muddled and confused are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation. However, muddled may be slightly more informal and less appropriate for formal writing or speech.
