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
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Recent Examples of messy
For all 11 songs, the 35-year-old indie rock star assumes the character of a recluse in a messy house.
—
The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Its system includes true wireless up-firing rear speakers that use AI to calibrate to your specific room, no receiver or messy wires needed.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
French bangs—the eternally cool and messy-yet-polished style—are all about the illusion of nonchalance.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Mikhail got caught up in a messy situation.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for messy
The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Its system includes true wireless up-firing rear speakers that use AI to calibrate to your specific room, no receiver or messy wires needed.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
French bangs—the eternally cool and messy-yet-polished style—are all about the illusion of nonchalance.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Mikhail got caught up in a messy situation.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
-
The attack unfolded in a chaotic scene Lang’s sparsely attended protest Saturday drew a far larger group of counterdemonstrators.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The scene had grown chaotic even before the devices were thrown.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Penguins were sloppy in the defensive zone and didn’t put the Flyers away on the power play.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
A couple sloppy Westlake possessions have given the Lady Tigers the momentum.—
American-Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Julia’s mixed medium mural hanging on her family room wall clues us into her cluttered, frenzied mindset.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
But, the other side of the argument says their open display can cause your design to look cluttered and messy.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The horse is very confused by your utter lack of consideration as to the consequences.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Late last year, Walsh told the Tribune the government’s move to press charges had left her shocked and confused.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The words sound like magnetic fridge poetry—jumbled and foreign in her mouth.—
Olivia Horn,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Yet all this beauty ultimately does not save a jumbled narrative.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Her jeans are filthy; her blonde hair hangs in loose, greasy strings; bruises speckle her thin arms, and there’s a patch of blood above her right eye.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Allegations of betting on suicide Like other detainees, Ramsingh said that between cleanings, the rooms, restrooms and showers were often filthy and infested with insects.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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