disheveled 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈshev-əld How to pronounce disheveled (audio)
variants or dishevelled
Definition of dishevelednext
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness I got my suit pressed so I wouldn't look so disheveled for the wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disheveled

2 of 2

verb

variants or dishevelled
past tense of dishevel
as in disrupted
to undo the proper order or arrangement of decorations for the garden wedding that had been disheveled by the wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 disheveled
Adjective
But the disheveled populist quickly qualified his statement, as the crowd grew quiet again. — Liz Goodwin The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2026 The attacks paralyzed Davis as authorities searched for a suspect before detaining and arresting a disheveled Dominguez in May, days after the first fatal attack. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
If Newsom has been spotted disheveled in public, show me the proof. — Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026 Sturch said Columbo is not as disheveled in the theater version as Falk later presented him. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disheveled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disheveled
  1. messy
  2. disrupted
  3. chaotic
  4. confused
  5. littered
  6. disturbed
  7. sloppy
  8. shuffled
Adjective
  • Entrepreneurship or a portfolio of roles feels messier than earning a regular salary because the risk is more visible.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Many real texts from family members are short, rushed and a little messy.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of messy
Verb
  • The ledger would document who benefits, who bears risk, which industries could be disrupted and what safeguards were tested.
    — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Since the Iran war began in late February, global helium supply has been disrupted and prices have gone up substantially.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of disrupted
Adjective
  • Interview with the Vampire’s composer Daniel Hart has taken the audience on a wonderfully chaotic journey through different styles of music in The Vampire Lestat.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • The events surrounding the funeral were chaotic, with eight people killed and hundreds injured, according to a report written by the Associated Press news agency at the time.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of chaotic
Verb
  • When major international events bring millions of visitors unfamiliar with local customs, leaving guests confused by unexpected pricing practices.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • An executive at the sneaker company Vans has issued an apology after a collaboration with the streetwear brand Fugazi was confused for a collaboration with the legendary — and legendarily anti-consumerist — punk band Fugazi.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of littered
Verb
  • The location of the digging also could have disturbed another grave that may now be unmarked.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • Home to North America’s tallest mountain, Denali's six million acres of wilderness are disturbed by only one road.
    — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • Lime clasts are tiny white chunks of limestone that were previously mistaken for evidence of sloppy mixing.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
  • The Americans played sloppy and ugly soccer in the first half, and Belgium overwhelmed the home side.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of sloppy
Verb
  • One Wednesday evening in May, at the boutique hotel Dream Hollywood — located just off the Walk of Fame — a young hotel staff member shuffled over to her co-worker to discuss a special guest on the top floor.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Overshadowed by the Folarin Balogun mess is how impressively Rudi Garcia shuffled his midfield and organized his tactics to perfectly counter how Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT wanted to play.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of shuffled

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Cite this Entry

“Disheveled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disheveled. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disheveled

Nglish: Translation of disheveled for Spanish Speakers

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