murky meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "murky meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or idea that is unclear or difficult to understand. Example: "The author's use of symbolism in the poem creates a murky meaning that leaves readers questioning the true intent behind the words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The politics behind the act remained murky, meaning that his removal is still a matter of dispute.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

DVR both, watch the shows in reverse order, and see if the Idol judges' smiles and twitches don't take on murkier meanings -- because what are the odds they mean every word they say?

Huffington Post

But the cryptic short-hand makes the true meaning murky.

Huffington Post

Raw in language and fraught in mood, "Sore Throats" is also somewhat murky in its meanings.

The New York Times

Murkier depths of meaning surely reside here, too, which would have taken Eco's eye to plumb.

The New Yorker

The book Teen Spirit: The Stories Behind Every Nirvana Song describes "Teen Spirit" as "a typically murky Cobain exploration of meaning and meaninglessness".

Wikipedia

Among TV series, its closest cousin is probably "Lost," another epic of mystification and fate whose meanings are murky but whose moments are surely rendered — an impression amplified by the presence of the earlier show's Naveen Andrews as someone who knows something.

Los Angeles Times

Another was U.S. Girls, the project of Meg Remy, who piles up samples of radio broadcasts and other noises for a deliberately murky, revisionist take on the meaning of girl groups.

The New York Times - Arts

If it's any comfort, Reyna concludes that this distorted judgment is the ironic consequence of a cognitively advanced style of thinking, an intuitive style perhaps more suitable for finding meaning in the murky world of spies and counterspies.

Huffington Post

Andrew Peck, a 31-year-old unemployed ad account executive in Manhattan, lards his résumé with terms like "leveraging synergies" whose meaning he confesses is murky.

The New York Times

In fact, the meaning of much economic data remains murky, even to economists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "murky meaning" when you want to convey that the significance or implication of something is unclear, confusing, or difficult to discern. It suggests a lack of transparency or a deliberate attempt to obscure understanding.

Common error

While "murky meaning" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives such as "ambiguous significance" or "ill-defined implication" to maintain clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "murky meaning" functions as a noun phrase, where "murky" is an adjective modifying the noun "meaning". It describes the quality or state of the meaning itself. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "murky meaning" effectively describes something unclear or difficult to understand, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, its grammatical function is that of a noun phrase where "murky" modifies "meaning". While grammatically sound and commonly used, more precise alternatives might be preferred in formal writing. Related phrases include "obscure significance" and "vague implication". Remember, "murky meaning" suggests a lack of transparency, making it suitable for discussing complex, obscured concepts. As Ludwig shows, it is commonly used in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obscure significance

Replaces "murky" with "obscure" and "meaning" with "significance", both conveying a lack of clarity.

vague implication

Substitutes "murky" with "vague" and "meaning" with "implication", emphasizing a lack of precision.

unclear sense

Replaces "murky" with "unclear" and "meaning" with "sense", focusing on a lack of understanding.

ambiguous import

Uses "ambiguous" instead of "murky" and "import" instead of "meaning", highlighting multiple possible interpretations.

nebulous connotation

Replaces "murky" with "nebulous" and "meaning" with "connotation", suggesting a hazy or ill-defined association.

ill-defined significance

Uses "ill-defined" to replace "murky", emphasizing the lack of clear definition, and uses "significance" to replace "meaning".

shadowy implication

Substitutes "murky" with "shadowy" and "meaning" with "implication", suggesting something hidden or not fully revealed.

dubious interpretation

Replaces "murky" with "dubious" and "meaning" with "interpretation", indicating uncertainty and skepticism about the understanding.

cryptic significance

Uses "cryptic" instead of "murky" and "significance" instead of "meaning", suggesting something with a hidden or mysterious meaning.

arcane meaning

Replaces "murky" with "arcane", implying that the meaning is only understood by a few.

FAQs

What does "murky meaning" mean?

The phrase "murky meaning" describes a concept, idea, or situation where the true meaning or significance is unclear, obscured, or difficult to understand. It suggests a lack of clarity and potential for misinterpretation.

What are some synonyms for "murky meaning"?

Alternatives to "murky meaning" include "obscure significance", "vague implication", or "ambiguous import". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "murky meaning" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politics behind the act remained "murky meaning", meaning that his removal is still a matter of dispute." This shows that the reasons or intentions are unclear.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "murky meaning"?

Use "murky meaning" when you want to emphasize a lack of clarity or transparency. It's suitable when discussing abstract concepts, complex situations, or deliberate attempts to conceal information.