messy

adjective

ˈme-sē How to pronounce messy (audio)
Definition of messynext
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 messy Those in support of rezoning expressed concerns about the dust, air quality and Crown’s track record of not taking care of the neighborhood, which has included leaving vacant homes unsecured and messy. — Jena Brooker, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2026 The funding troubles add another chapter to what has already been an unusually messy American outing at the Biennale. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Clear compartments make finding her favorite products easy, elastic straps keep bottles upright, and the wide zippered opening saves her from digging through a messy bag in a tiny hotel bathroom. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026 Micelles that form in the liquid dope prevent the messy, disordered proteins from clumping and getting tangled. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
  1. chaotic
  2. sloppy
  3. cluttered
  4. confused
  5. littered
  6. jumbled
  7. filthy
Adjective
  • In order to avoid large crowds and a chaotic shopping experience, customers might want to stay away from Costco on certain afternoons.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Engineered with bold resonant audio and booming bass, an IP67 waterproof and dustproof exterior, up to 20 hours of battery life, and convenient USB-C charge-out support, it is built for every chaotic adventure.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • Charlotte won the rebound battle 51 to 44, but left the Pistons open way too often and were sloppy with the ball, committing 25 turnovers.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Lakers were sloppy with the basketball, turning it over 22 times.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • With all the new tech coming across my desk lately, my workspace has become quite cluttered.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Evonitz held Kara hostage in his cluttered apartment for 18 hours.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of cluttered
Adjective
  • The Dolphins’ secondary appeared confused and unprepared for Maye’s throws, which were pinpoint accurate.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The ones who were looked confused but kindly dropped candy into our bags.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.
    — Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of littered
Adjective
  • But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Entering the season, two quarterbacks sit in the top tier, followed by a drop-off to the second and third tiers — both of which are crowded and jumbled.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of jumbled
Adjective
  • Los Angeles also struggles with an ongoing homelessness crisis — filthy encampments and rows of rusting RVs are a common sight in many neighborhoods.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • All my women friends, just thinking filthy thoughts about you.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of filthy

Browse Nearby Words

mess (with)
messy
met
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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