1
as in rotten
having undergone organic breakdown
addled eggs found on a long abandoned hen's nest
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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
Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for addled
Adjective
Enright’s portrait of the mother is terrific — entitled, manipulative, addled, forlorn — as is her characterisation of each of the siblings whose personalities are formed, or deformed, in their mother’s shadow.
—Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for addled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for addled
Adjective
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There are two types of repellents: Taste, which often contains capsaicin and requires the animal to take a nibble; and odor, which is sulfur-based and smells like rotten eggs.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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The smell, an odor like rotten eggs, is the sargassum piles decomposing, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The band played everything a little slower, and the songs drifted through the theatre with a dazed elegance.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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The museum show did happen — though some of what’s in it is fabricated, including a few fake ads for Apple and Absolut Vodka that the band very much did not shoot — but everyone in attendance seems a little dazed and confused about it, including the band.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Because, as the bewildered Jackson says in response, Who hates guitars?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
21 May 2025
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Also speaking to camera, the various members of the Girard family waver between resentment and bewildered confusion.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The audio proves otherwise as the recordings show Biden was confused, rambling, and couldn’t even remember when his son Beau died.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
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Photos showed the group seemingly confused about what was happening during the moment.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Follow the rules of the road—and stay off your phone - Stick to speed limits, obey traffic signals, and never drive distracted.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
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That was a possible sign of fatigue or distracted driving, some experts told CBS Austin — a problem that truckers told The Hill is endemic across an industry that pushes them to work around the clock.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The memes alone can send anyone into a dizzy state.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
16 May 2025
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Unaware of a bee allergy, Ryan became disoriented, dizzy, and eventually passed out.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Addled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/addled. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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