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 and can't seem to focus on anything. [muddled: adjective]
Example
The instructions were so muddled that I couldn't figure out what to do. [muddled: adjective]
jumbled
Example
The books on the shelf were all jumbled up and out of order. [jumbled: adjective]
Example
Her thoughts were jumbled and hard to follow. [jumbled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jumbled is more commonly used than muddled in everyday language. Jumbled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while muddled is less common and refers specifically to a confused state of mind.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between muddled and jumbled?
Both muddled and jumbled are informal words, but jumbled can be used in more formal contexts when describing a disordered arrangement of things.
