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Murkiest: meaning, definitions and examples

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murkiest

 

[ ˈmɜːr.ki.əst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

least clear

The term 'murkiest' is the superlative form of 'murky', which means dark, gloomy, and not clear. It is often used to describe water or a situation that is difficult to understand. In a more metaphorical sense, it can refer to the most confusing or obscure aspects of a subject. The murkiest situations are those where clarity is least evident, leading to uncertainty and ambiguity. This word often conveys a sense of foreboding or negativity.

Synonyms

cloudiest, darkest, fuzziest, gloomiest, obscurest

Examples of usage

  • The river was murkiest after the storm.
  • This is the murkiest part of the investigation.
  • He faced the murkiest waters in his career.
  • The murkiest details were hidden from the public.

Translations

Translations of the word "murkiest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais escuro

🇮🇳 सबसे गहरा

🇩🇪 dunkelsten

🇮🇩 tergelap

🇺🇦 найтемніший

🇵🇱 najciemniejszy

🇯🇵 最も暗い

🇫🇷 le plus sombre

🇪🇸 el más oscuro

🇹🇷 en karanlık

🇰🇷 가장 어두운

🇸🇦 الأكثر ظلمة

🇨🇿 nejtemnější

🇸🇰 najtemnejší

🇨🇳 最黑暗的

🇸🇮 najtemnejši

🇮🇸 dimmasti

🇰🇿 ең қараңғы

🇬🇪 ყველაზე მუქი

🇦🇿 ən qaranlıq

🇲🇽 el más oscuro

Word origin

The word 'murky' originates from the Middle English term 'murke', which meant dark or gloomy, likely derived from the Old North French word 'murlin', meaning dark or muddy. The superlative form 'murkiest' follows standard English formation by adding the suffix '-est' to indicate the highest degree. The usage of 'murky' often extends beyond physical darkness to describe ambiguous situations in literature and common conversation, reflecting a tendency to view complexity or lack of clarity as negative. Historically, 'murky' has been associated with waters that are not clear, making it a fitting term to describe both literal and metaphorical obscurity.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,077, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.