1
as in rotten
having undergone organic breakdown
addled eggs found on a long abandoned hen's nest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
one of the more addled audience members confused Ghana with Guyana
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bewildered
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
after slipping on the ice, Bethany was so addled that she left her groceries where they'd fallen
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of addled
Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Nov. 2024
The episode hinges on Novak’s ability to sell Nandor’s transformation from seemingly addled while lecturing a warehouse full of mannequins, to roguishly determined when commanding his followers to set Dartmouth University on fire.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Back at the Harris rally, Carvey came out as a squinting and addled Biden, talking in circles before Harris finally tried to push him off the stage.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2024
In the span of about a week, she’s become an icon for our addled times.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for addled
Adjective
Psychiatrists testified for both the state and the defense that a person in psychosis is prone to make statements based on a belief in their addled mind.
—Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Nov. 2024
The episode hinges on Novak’s ability to sell Nandor’s transformation from seemingly addled while lecturing a warehouse full of mannequins, to roguishly determined when commanding his followers to set Dartmouth University on fire.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Back at the Harris rally, Carvey came out as a squinting and addled Biden, talking in circles before Harris finally tried to push him off the stage.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Sep. 2024
In the span of about a week, she’s become an icon for our addled times.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for addled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addled
Adjective
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Then, the rotten cherry on top: my lightweight pack, overburdened with water and ill-equipped for the task, created a patch of chafe that eventually bloomed into an open wound.—
Shawnté Salabert,
Outside Online,
28 Mar. 2025
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What rotten fortune all around, the best college player in the country – and the coolest – being ousted not by an upset but by injury.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Case in point: his goal for Portugal Under-17s against Morocco in September 2023, a ludicrous solo effort that left a trail of dazed defenders scratching their heads and wondering what the hell had just happened.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Sea lions and dolphins have been observed rigid with seizures, acting dazed and confused.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne Elliott’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
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In the now-viral video, the tuxedo cat crawls out from under the bed, wide-eyed and bewildered.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Harris emphasizes nothing has yet changed but customers remain confused as to the status of the incentive and Harbinger’s IRA Risk Free Guarantee was created to mitigate that confusion.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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As Chelsea, Wood widens her eyes and slants her eyebrows up when confused, bares her teeth and scrunches her whole face in terror, and barely contains her smile when smitten.—
Ashliene McMenamy,
Allure,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The distracted driver hit two cars, both heading west, after reportedly going left of center, OSHP's Chardon Post Trooper William Head confirmed, per the outlet.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Maria Espinosa was walking her son Misael Rico, then 6 years old, to school in January 2011 when a distracted driver jumped a curb and pinned the boy beneath the vehicle, the family said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Back in 2023, Skrillex resurfaced unexpectedly with two new albums at once—Quest for Fire and Don’t Get Too Close—to showcase how his rattling bass juggernauts had evolved and his newfound grasp on dizzy emo-rap had tightened.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2025
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Arielle appears to have repeatedly expressed her unease with the hike, including the steep height and feeling dizzy after taking a photo on a tree.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Addled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addled. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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