as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a chaotic cellar sorely in need of some straightening up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 chaotic
The divisive Iraq War ended in 2011 and the long Afghanistan war 10 years later with a chaotic withdrawal.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
The show itself was pure, chaotic energy, broadcasting live from a studio overlooking Times Square.
—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
22 June 2026
Baltimore police are looking into a chaotic weekend in Fells Point that included two shootings.
—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Bold Primary Colors Bold primary colors feel too one-dimensional and visually chaotic for interiors in 2026, says Sabah Mansoor, founder and principal designer of Sabah Mansoor Design.
—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
The show itself was pure, chaotic energy, broadcasting live from a studio overlooking Times Square.
—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
22 June 2026
Baltimore police are looking into a chaotic weekend in Fells Point that included two shootings.
—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Bold Primary Colors Bold primary colors feel too one-dimensional and visually chaotic for interiors in 2026, says Sabah Mansoor, founder and principal designer of Sabah Mansoor Design.
—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chaotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaotic
Adjective
-
Russia’s departure from World War 1 led to a savage revolution; its loss in Afghanistan heralded the messy collapse of the Soviet Union; and Moscow levelled much of Grozny before giving Chechnya autonomy in 1996.
-
The last case highlights the messy and contentious process the Founding Fathers underwent to form the federal government.
Adjective
-
But then, the writer himself might get confused about which is which.
-
For example, a lot of fans were a bit confused on Friday after watching Miguel Almiron be sent off in the first half of Paraguay’s win against Turkey.
Adjective
-
Earlier, a pair of Harry Kane goals — his ninth and 10th at World Cups — had twice put England ahead, only for some sloppy defending and smart attacking play to give Croatia a route back.
-
Instead of one scammer typing out sloppy messages from a laptop, this setup worked more like a criminal software business.
Adjective
-
Instead, the excess space becomes a dumping ground for more items, leaving the space looking cluttered and messy.
-
Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, this set is perfect for apartments, smaller kitchens, dorms, RVs and anyone looking to simplify cluttered cabinets.
Adjective
-
His fluid camera, observational without being intrusive, expertly delineates the safe space of Layla’s courtyard, shifting registers as things get darker until near the end, when jumbled night reinforces the tense uncertainty.
-
Chaotic terrain is characterized by fractured, jumbled blocks of rock thought to have formed when underground ice melted and caused the surface above to collapse.
Adjective
-
In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.
-
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.
Cite this Entry
“Chaotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaotic. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
