sloppy

adjective

ˈslä-pē How to pronounce sloppy (audio)
Definition of sloppynext
1
as in messy
lacking neatness in dress or person a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness dumped the papers in a sloppy pile on the desk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way a cinematic romance with a sloppy musical score that will have audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sloppy Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The pair seemed prepared and methodical—not sloppy carousers but people with a plan. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 These are two teams that figure to be in the conversation come January, but both played some very sloppy football. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Our break-ins or our entries have been sloppy, and that’s on us. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
  1. messy
  2. chaotic
  3. sentimental
  4. slovenly
  5. filthy
  6. sticky
  7. wrinkled
  8. confused
Adjective
  • Emmet Fraizer investigates the uncertain future (and messy recent past) of the beloved science publication.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The request was the latest salvo in the messy war where Ghost is suing Wilson for defamation, and Wilson is pursuing counterclaims against the producers for alleged bullying, intimidation, and breach of contract.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of messy
Adjective
  • The tightness of White’s control over his arrangements can occasionally foreclose the sense of chaotic freedom inherent to his more collaborative efforts.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Now that Texas Tech has also suffered a conference loss, we are headed towards a wild final week of October, which will lead to a chaotic month of November as teams fight for a spot in the college football playoff.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • The emotions are real; the sentimental orchestral score by Joseph Trapanese goes overboard.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • At times, Marianne’s second-act emotional breakdown feels siloed from the rest of the picture, but the strands coalesce beautifully in an emotionally overwhelming finale that’s tearjerking, but never manipulative or overly sentimental.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of sentimental
Adjective
  • And this is where the movie takes off from retro mythology to become its own slovenly mod thing.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
  • To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required.
    — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of slovenly
Adjective
  • There are several different subtypes of New York City Restaurant, from the humble old-timers (Katz’s, Nom Wah) to the temples of filthy lucre (Bemelmans, Rao’s).
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The invention’s intent was to cut down on distracted driving — in addition to the frustration of digging around under filthy car seats.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of filthy
Adjective
  • Will Brantley, president of the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, said sticky and chewy candies tend to cling to teeth, leaving behind sugary residue that can contribute to cavities.
    — Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Build up of sticky food residue on bottom of ice cream mix coolers and the floor in front of units.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Participants with wet but non-wrinkled fingers required significantly more force to maintain the same hold; their hands were working harder to do less.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of wrinkled
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of confused thinking about this at campuses across the country.
    — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The long road ahead After being charged with murder on Friday, Francis, dressed in a white Tyvek suit and appearing confused at court, said nothing as she was ordered held without bail for her daughter’s death.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of confused

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slopping
sloppy
slops
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Cite this Entry

“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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