How to Use make a mess of in a Sentence

make a mess of

phrase
  • Spills, crumbs, and grease from splattering casseroles and bubbling pies can make a mess of your oven, and the oven racks aren’t spared from the turmoil.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • Science fiction has more vividly imagined how humanity might try to reverse climate change and make a mess of it.
    — Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
  • Between the pot to boil water, a pan to simmer sauce, various cookware pieces, and kitchen utensils, a pasta dinner night can make a mess of dirty dishes.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Since then, a lack of norms around how AI should be used at work, with friends and family, in romantic relationships and beyond is making a mess of everyday life.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Cruise’s Digger is the man most responsible for making a mess of the globe — and no other actor but him could have gotten a movie this messy green-lighted for a $125-million budget.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Recent rains mean water levels in harbors are already higher, and there’s a chance of overspill during early-morning hours that could make a mess of Pacific Coast Highway in low-lying areas such as Sunset Beach.
    — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'make a mess of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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