murky

Sometimes mirk·y

[mur-kee]

adjective

murkier, murkiest 

1. dark, gloomy, and cheerless.

   Antonyms: cheery, bright

2. obscure or thick with mist, haze, etc., as the air.

   Synonyms: opaque, obscure, indefinite, hazy, confusing, hazy, misty, lowering, cloudy
   Antonyms: clear

3. (of liquid) not clear; cloudy with or as if with sediment.

   Antonyms: transparent, pellucid, limpid, clear

4. not clearly expressed; vague; unclear; confused.

   a murky statement.

murky

/ ˈmɜːkɪ /

adjective

1. gloomy or dark

2. cloudy or impenetrable as with smoke or fog

Other Word Forms

• murkily adverb
• murkiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of murky¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English mirky; murk, -y ¹

Synonym Study

See dark.

Example Sentences

The role of pharmacists — and whether they’re considered “healthcare professionals” who can authorize administration of the vaccine — also remains murky.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts say the ensuing judicial dust-up it will clarify precedent in a murky corner of the law.

From Los Angeles Times

To be fair, the character of central bank independence has always been murky.

From Los Angeles Times

The terms of the plan have been murky.

From Los Angeles Times

"In terms of where these things go, that's kind of murky, but very often finds are sold on things like online auction houses, antiques centres, things like that," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• cloudy 
• dark 
• dim 
• dirty 
• dismal 
• dreary 
• foggy 
• fuzzy 
• misty 
• muddy 
• nebulous 
• stormy