as in mess
a state in which everything is out of order
a professional chef would not tolerate such messiness in the kitchen
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Recent Examples of messiness
Better Broken sees her grappling with the messiness of humanity, the life-affirming act of overcoming challenges and coming back to herself.
—
Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
The choice is not between going forward or going back, but between working with the complexity of human and natural realities, in all their organic messiness, or pretending those realities do not exist.
—Paul Kingsnorth, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Hirschhorn’s Josh manages to be endearing even when the character’s messiness and selfishness overwhelm him.
—Chad Jones, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
As well as being a bold reimagining, The Roses puts a refreshing twist on the pressures of success and the trappings of modern life, the risks of making our careers our identity, and the messiness of modern relationships and family.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The coming-of-age drama does a great job at capturing the messiness of young love, but off-screen, several of the cast members are in happy, long-term relationships.
—Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Debate and occasional messiness is part of normal partisan politics.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
So, the Jays can put Monday’s messiness behind them.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
So what would a 16 task be in terms of messiness?
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2025
Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
The choice is not between going forward or going back, but between working with the complexity of human and natural realities, in all their organic messiness, or pretending those realities do not exist.
—Paul Kingsnorth, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Hirschhorn’s Josh manages to be endearing even when the character’s messiness and selfishness overwhelm him.
—Chad Jones, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
As well as being a bold reimagining, The Roses puts a refreshing twist on the pressures of success and the trappings of modern life, the risks of making our careers our identity, and the messiness of modern relationships and family.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The coming-of-age drama does a great job at capturing the messiness of young love, but off-screen, several of the cast members are in happy, long-term relationships.
—Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Debate and occasional messiness is part of normal partisan politics.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
So, the Jays can put Monday’s messiness behind them.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
So what would a 16 task be in terms of messiness?
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messiness
Noun
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Here's why some deodorants curse our clothes with a hard-to-clean mess—and what to do about it.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2025
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Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images The British driver lost time at Turn 15, where Leclerc crashed earlier, but the entire lap was a mess as the MCL39 struggled for grip.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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All have TVs, none have the usual game day chaos.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The sages imagined the world itself as a structure left open to the north, a reminder that there are always cracks through which danger, chaos, and suffering can enter.—
Barry Gelman,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Since then, Parsons has made his presence known, causing havoc for the Packers' opponents thus far.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Offensive line woes help Falcons cause havoc There were other issues leading to the problems that McCarthy faced, including injuries to backup left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Initial confusion about the number of suspects has been clarified through security footage analysis, helping authorities provide accurate information to the public.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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There was some confusion about whether the recommendation approved Friday sought to require those seeking COVID vaccination to have conversations with medical professionals about the risks and benefits involved before rolling up their sleeves.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Aerosmith might’ve retired from touring, but the unit that performed on-stage Wednesday night set the tone for one hell of an evening of rock & roll.—
John Lonsdale,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
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At 0-2 now with a Thursday night game at nemesis Buffalo fast looming, all is closer to hell than well for Miami.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messiness. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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