Muddled tot went first (6)
I believe the answer is:
addled
'muddled' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'tot went first' is the wordplay.
'tot' becomes 'add' (synonyms).
'went first' becomes 'led' (I've seen this in another clue).
'add'+'led'='ADDLED'
(Other definitions for addled that I've seen before include "Dad led (anag.)" , "Gone bad (of eggs)" , "mixed-up" , "Foolish or confused like bad egg" , "Of egg, rotten and producing no chick" .)