cluttered; cluttering; clutters
chiefly dialectal
: to run in disorder
: to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness
a room cluttered with toys
—often used with upToo many signs were cluttering up the street corner.
1
a
: a crowded or confused mass or collection
a clutter of motels and restaurants
b
: things that clutter a place
tried to minimize the unnecessary clutter in her house
2
: interfering radar echoes caused by reflection from objects (as on the ground) other than the target
3
chiefly dialectal
: disturbance, hubbub
Examples of clutter in a Sentence
Verb
The garage was cluttered with tools.
Try to avoid cluttering your desk with books and papers.
Noun
There's a lot of unnecessary clutter in the house.
a scrapbook that was a clutter of snapshots, diary entries, letters, and newspaper clippings
Recent Examples on the Web
Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Such thoughts clutter the mind, which brings less clarity in the moment and prevents them from playing each point on its own terms.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Getting a handle on almost seven decades' worth of clutter is a wise move.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clutter
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Verb
Ultimately, high-ROI landscaping is not about cluttering a yard with fragile, high-maintenance flora, but rather about creating clean lines, structural permanence, and an undeniable sense of luxury.
—Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Such thoughts clutter the mind, which brings less clarity in the moment and prevents them from playing each point on its own terms.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Noun
Clean and refresh every room, pack away clutter and unfinished projects, and change the sheets so the bedroom feels like a check-in.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Getting a handle on almost seven decades' worth of clutter is a wise move.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clutter
Cite this Entry
“Clutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clutter. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clutter
1 of 2 verb
clut·ter
ˈklət-ər 
: to fill or cover with a disorderly scattering of things
clutter up a room
clutter
2 of 2 noun
: a crowded or confused collection
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