as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of messy
For me—and for countless Catholics who have navigated the messy terrain of early adulthood into middle age—Francis was not just the Bishop of Rome.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
If something paused or got messy earlier this year, the Venus-Neptune conjunction on May 2 offers a generous window to bring healing and honesty to the table.
—Colin Bedell, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
The quickest route to mealtime stress has to be a messy pantry.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
As pitchers, they are required to resolve messy situations on the mound.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
If something paused or got messy earlier this year, the Venus-Neptune conjunction on May 2 offers a generous window to bring healing and honesty to the table.
—Colin Bedell, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
The quickest route to mealtime stress has to be a messy pantry.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
As pitchers, they are required to resolve messy situations on the mound.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
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Viewers looked forward to their weekly check-in with Akil’s characters, who are as flawed and resilient as real people, neither Shonda levels of chaotic nor reality-TV caricatures.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
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As chaotic and entertaining as the transfer portal is, keeping star-caliber pieces in college is vital to building a truly elite team.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The pass from Dennis Schröder wouldn’t be as sloppy if Josh Hart didn’t get so in his face.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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But several lawmakers have been using their best stage whisper to urge Leadership teams in the House and Senate that this sort of sloppy handling of sensitive information cannot become normalized.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The dogs crowd into the bathroom, peering over the edge of the tub with expressions that viewers described as both confused and concerned.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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The whipsaw turns have left markets, governments and consumers alike confused and worried about what’s next.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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The new house is now disgustingly filthy and filled with trash and the smell of cat urine.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2025
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The common areas of the building have been filthy, too: trash all around the grounds and dirty stairwells.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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