alphabet soup

noun

: a hodgepodge especially of initials (as of the names of organizations)

Synonyms

• agglomerate
• agglomeration
• assortment
• botch
• clutter
• collage
• crazy quilt
• farrago
• gallimaufry
• grab bag
• gumbo
• hash
• hodgepodge
• hotchpotch
• jambalaya
• jumble
• jungle
• litter
• macédoine
• medley
• mélange
• menagerie
• miscellanea
• miscellany
• mishmash
• mixed bag
• montage
• motley
• muddle
• olio
• olla podrida
• omnium-gatherum
• pastiche
• patchwork
• patchwork quilt
• potpourri
• ragbag
• ragout
• rummage
• salad
• salmagundi
• scramble
• shuffle
• smorgasbord
• stew
• tumble
• variety
• welter

Example Sentences

a bowl of alphabet soup

the alphabet soup of designer drugs that were available to patrons of the once-notorious disco

Recent Examples on the Web

For those following the history of the department, which combines many of the oversight responsibilities of the alphabet soup of federal regulators, the aggressive moves were not a surprise. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 5 Apr. 2023

There are a few more variants to add to the ever-growing list of COVID-19 alphabet soup, including the BA.4.6, BF.7 and BQ variants. —Dallas News, 21 Oct. 2022

Also within that expanse is an alphabet soup of different owners and different missions — ecosystem and wildlife research, national defense, water conservation, hunting, habitat protection, park space, cattle ranching and the outdoor classroom at DeLuca Preserve — all aimed at conservation. —Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, 5 Dec. 2021

Yes, that’s a lot of alphabet soup. —Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 May 2021

Coal ash contains an alphabet soup of toxic chemicals including mercury, arsenic, cadmium and other heavy metals that pollute waterways, poison wildlife and can cause respiratory illnesses among people who live near these ponds, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2023

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra) has an online list that explains the alphabet soup that financial professionals use. —Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023

North Texans have been experiencing erratic weather in the region as of late, and the most recent variable in the climate alphabet soup is fog. —Dallas News, 9 Dec. 2022

In other words, the whole alphabet soup of molecular genetics. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2010

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Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above