sounds murky

USAGE SUMMARY

"sounds murky" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that sounds or is unclear, unknown, or confusing. For example, "Every time I ask my accountant about my taxes, his explanation sounds murky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If that sounds murky, one thing is not: early intervention is important.

The New York Times - Health

If that definition sounds murky — that is, if it's unclear what 501(c)(4) organizations are allowed to do — that's because it is murky.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Some of the quieter music I listened to sounded murky and fuzzy.

The New York Times - Tech

On Sunday afternoon Hugh Wolff conducted the all-student Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra in Britten's Cello Symphony (Op. 68), a work that can sound murky at times, and did here.

The New York Times - Arts

Entertainment Weeklys Leah Greenblatt was critical of the album, stating that it sounded "murky and almost punishingly discordant, as if the album has been submerged underwater and then set upon by an arsenal of exceptionally peeved power tools".

Wikipedia

Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, on his LBC 97.3 phone-in radio show, said: "It all sounds extremely murky to me.

The Guardian

Though his players eventually caught up with his propulsive tempos in the Gloria and the "Et resurrexit," the rush of sounds turned murky in the chapel's reverberant acoustics.

The New York Times - Arts

(Indeed, a gloomy picture like Se7en is improved when the sound is murky).

The Guardian - Film

But as the weeks go by the liaisons begin to sound less murky.

The New Yorker

The sound is murky and uneven, but hearing this pianist in 1947 and 1948 is instructive under any conditions.

The New York Times - Arts

A few Mondays back at Local 802, "A Foggy Day" sounded downright murky until Quincy Jones strode in and a chorus of old friends cried, "Q! Q!" Jones, the trumpeter who went on to produce Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson and win twenty-seven Grammys, had returned to where he got his musician's card, in the fifties, to support his latest discovery, a piano player named Justin Kauflin.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sounds murky" when you want to express that something lacks clarity or is potentially misleading. It is often used to describe situations, explanations, or details that are not easily understood or appear suspicious.

Common error

Avoid using "sounds murky" in extremely formal or technical writing where more precise and objective language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "lacks clarity" or "is ambiguous" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds murky" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing an opinion about the clarity or transparency of something. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often describes situations or information that is confusing or potentially misleading. The phrase combines a sensory verb ("sounds") with a descriptive adjective ("murky").

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Arts

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sounds murky" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that lacks clarity or appears suspicious. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While not overly formal, it's versatile enough for various contexts, particularly in news, arts, and general conversation. Related phrases include "sounds vague" and "sounds unclear". When writing, use "sounds murky" to convey doubt or uncertainty, but be mindful of overly formal settings where more precise language may be appropriate. The available examples and alternative phrases provide a guide for nuanced usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sounds vague

Emphasizes a lack of specific detail or definition.

sounds unclear

Highlights a lack of clarity or comprehensibility.

sounds ambiguous

Stresses the possibility of multiple interpretations.

sounds doubtful

Suggests a lack of credibility or trustworthiness.

sounds questionable

Implies some reservations or concerns about validity.

sounds fishy

Indicates suspicion or dishonesty.

sounds dubious

Implies uncertainty or skepticism.

sounds suspect

Suggests something is not as it appears.

sounds improbable

Highlights the unlikelihood of something being true.

sounds far-fetched

Emphasizes that something is unlikely and difficult to believe.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "sounds murky"?

When something "sounds murky", it means it lacks clarity, is confusing, or appears suspicious. It suggests that the details are not clear or that there might be something hidden or not fully disclosed.

What are some alternatives to saying "sounds murky"?

You can use alternatives like "sounds vague", "sounds unclear", or "sounds ambiguous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sounds murky" in formal writing?

While "sounds murky" is generally acceptable, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "lacks clarity" or "is ambiguous" in academic or professional contexts.

How can "sounds murky" be used in a sentence?

Example: "The explanation of the new policy sounds murky, and many employees are confused about the changes."