clutter

verb

clut·ter | \ˈklə-tər

cluttered; cluttering; clutters

Definition of clutter

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

chiefly dialectal : to run in disorder

transitive verb

: to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness a room cluttered with toys —often used with up Too many signs were cluttering up the street corner.

clutter

noun

Definition of clutter (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about clutter

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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: Verb

Goalies like Holtby, on the other hand, can’t afford to clutter their mind between periods; Murray comes to the dressing room during intermission, but avoids such analysis until later. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Learning to Deal With the Little Things Has Capitals' Braden Holtby on the Verge of a Stanley Cup," 5 June 2018 The challenge for security officials is to get a good look at objects in sometimes cluttered carry-on bags. — Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, "TSA: Fliers will face more scrutiny for powders in carry-on bags," 19 June 2018 The conference table at the center of the room was cluttered with empty water bottles and a tub of peppermints. — Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Lamar Jackson pick capped emotional first night in Ravens war room," 27 Apr. 2018 Aside from giving local residents a way to de-clutter their garages and clear out their mudrooms, the flea market also contributes to community causes. — Marialuisa Rincon, Houston Chronicle, "Spring flea market scheduled for April 14," 6 Apr. 2018 The head up display is broad and low, and full of the essential drive info without being cluttered. — Robert Duffer, chicagotribune.com, "2018 Lincoln Navigator outdoes Cadillac Escalade as most refined family hauler," 5 Mar. 2018 Monica Beato-Howson’s dining room was starting to look more like a dorm room earlier this month, cluttered with books, linens, lamps, and clothing. — Katheleen Conti, BostonGlobe.com, "Why are millennials living at home? Housing costs and student debt, for starters," 19 June 2018 But others recoiled, saying the scooters were dangerous, cluttered the sidewalks, littered the landscape, and that the tech companies were unfairly using public roadways to run a business. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF supervisors pass law to regulate scooters that have descended on city," 17 Apr. 2018 It was cluttered with seaweed and sand along the frame. — Leah Garchik, San Francisco Chronicle, "Artist recovers painting blown into the bay," 14 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Now, Marie's branching out beyond books, releasing her first product line — one that promises to reduce the clutter in your life, not add to it. — Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "Marie Kondo Launched New Organizing Boxes To Help You Finally Declutter Your Life," 24 July 2018 But with the movie, there's this beautiful clutter that happens. — Max Cea, Billboard, "'Sorry to Bother You' Director Boots Riley on Working With Tune-Yards and Breaking the Rules of Soundtracks," 13 July 2018 Over the years clutter and even some electrical equipment had formed a barricade of sorts between the workers at M.A. Hadley American Pottery and a makeshift room in the factory's basement. — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville pottery company has a new owner and a trove of forgotten art," 11 June 2018 But underneath all of that clutter, the franchise is setting an example for how to include the LGBTQ+ in the broader hip-hop and pop culture landscape. — refinery29.com, "The Evolution Of LGBTQ+ Representation On This Black Reality Show," 11 June 2018 Her home is devoid of clutter and junk drawers—exercising restraint, albeit with temptation. — Danielle Fox, ELLE Decor, "Inside the Vintage-Filled Chelsea Home of Etsy’s COO," 5 June 2018 The clutter and the sense of tasks unfinished drives them to distraction. — Katherine Bindley, WSJ, "Those Red Alert Bubbles on Your Phone Are Driving Your Loved One Crazy," 25 May 2018 Growth creates clutter for a network, which in turn slows growth. — Jeff Stibel, USA TODAY, "Facebook and other social networks may be too big to succeed," 27 June 2018 Uber’s Jump, for example, is proposing a scooter parking rack to avoid clutter. — Johana Bhuiyan, Recode, "Scooter companies tried to barge into San Francisco and got kicked out. Now they’re making big promises to get legal.," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clutter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.