as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a chaotic cellar sorely in need of some straightening up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chaotic
While some families said kids benefited from mainstreaming, many teachers and parents argued that classes became too chaotic because of the way the policy was implemented.
—
Laurie Stern, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
The scene at the annual event in Washington turned chaotic when a man dashed toward the dining area and was met with gunfire.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Between shoes, bags, and pet leashes, entryway spaces can quickly get chaotic.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Over four million years ago, a little after the moon was born, the solar system was pretty chaotic.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Laurie Stern, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
The scene at the annual event in Washington turned chaotic when a man dashed toward the dining area and was met with gunfire.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Between shoes, bags, and pet leashes, entryway spaces can quickly get chaotic.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Over four million years ago, a little after the moon was born, the solar system was pretty chaotic.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaotic
Adjective
-
Everything was hot, simple and a little messy in the best way.—
Melissa Oyler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Shared spaces were left messy, personal belongings spread throughout the house, decor rearranged and boundaries ignored.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Charmed at first, Nella soon becomes confused and suspicious of her alleged ally as their approaches to racial bias and diversity begin to sharply diverge and the story, told through a past and present timeline, unravels with unexpected twists.—
Laura Zigman,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen showed the new signage in a Facebook post that’s garnered more than 14,000 likes and comments combined — responses spanning from supportive and celebratory, to confused and inflammatory.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the Pistons were sloppy with the ball and careless overall in a 94-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night, falling behind 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Wolves started out sloppy with nine first-quarter turnovers and finished with 25.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Working with these doors on a cluttered workbench is like sitting in the middle seat of an airplane and fighting for the armrest with the passengers on either side.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
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With cathedral ceilings, select pieces of midcentury-modern furniture, and exposed wood beams, the interiors are comfortable without being cluttered.—
Sarah Wood González,
Architectural Digest,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tidy Food Storage Containers The same can be said for the food storage containers that can easily become a jumbled mess in the cabinet.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
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The 49ers’ defensive depth chart isn’t as jumbled after this draft as last year’s, and more impact players could arrive before training camp or the season opener in Australia.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Chaotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaotic. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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