as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the quilt was a higgledy-piggledy patchwork of odd-shaped fabric scraps, each of which held a fond memory for the family
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in topsy-turvy
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Recent Examples of higgledy-piggledy
Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 9 Feb. 2026
The grid breaks down in Lower Manhattan and the streets begin to look higgledy-piggledy and more challenging to navigate.
—Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025
Renovating and expanding the higgledy-piggledy building—a monumental project that finally will welcome guests in February—will usher in the next chapter in the château’s story.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Death to Order reads like an anti-thriller—this despite its international ambit and the corpses of prominent statesmen strewn higgledy-piggledy across its pages.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Elsbeth volunteers to stay at his schmancy, higgledy-piggledy Asian-fusion wellness center to continue the investigation.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
The oft wild, higgledy-piggledy marketing of so many strains, preparations and products has lead to an erosion of meaning for the customer base.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Instead of obsessing over the latest higgledy-piggledy, do something useful.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Then load them higgledy-piggledy on their sides into the tube of a food processer fitted with the slicing blade.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 9 Feb. 2026
The grid breaks down in Lower Manhattan and the streets begin to look higgledy-piggledy and more challenging to navigate.
—Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025
Renovating and expanding the higgledy-piggledy building—a monumental project that finally will welcome guests in February—will usher in the next chapter in the château’s story.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Death to Order reads like an anti-thriller—this despite its international ambit and the corpses of prominent statesmen strewn higgledy-piggledy across its pages.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Elsbeth volunteers to stay at his schmancy, higgledy-piggledy Asian-fusion wellness center to continue the investigation.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
The oft wild, higgledy-piggledy marketing of so many strains, preparations and products has lead to an erosion of meaning for the customer base.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Instead of obsessing over the latest higgledy-piggledy, do something useful.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for higgledy-piggledy
Adjective
-
How does Carolyn’s hair actually look better a little messy?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Saturday is expected to be the nicest day of the week, with mostly sunny skies and a high around 51, but Sunday could be messy.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Also starring Roslyn Ruff and Mickey Sumner (as a female Aufidius), the play’s exploration of leadership, honor and the dynamics of power is as relevant as ever in today’s topsy-turvy political landscape.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Stags have won five of six in a topsy-turvy MAAC, and have gone from a disappointing season to one with some promise.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As temperature rises, these vibrations intensify, creating a more chaotic, more resistant barrier that paradoxically hardens the metal’s surface against high-speed stress.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
While some of Griffin’s jokes may be a product of their time, My Life on the D-List is, all the same, a fascinating snapshot of early aughts celebrity culture in all its chaotic messiness.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The president flees these tradeoffs as a matter of course and flip-flops unpredictably when pressures rise.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
During this time, estrogen levels fluctuate unpredictably rather than steadily declining, which can trigger symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.—
Rachel Murray,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The words sound like magnetic fridge poetry—jumbled and foreign in her mouth.—
Olivia Horn,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Yet all this beauty ultimately does not save a jumbled narrative.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Bella Ramsey takes a break from killing zombies and avenging father figures, their usual pastimes in series The Last of Us, to fool around and fall in love in Sunny Dancer, a decidedly uneven but fitfully charming, YA-skewed British comedy-drama.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While many talk shows began as fitfully amusing discussions around relevant issues, some soon devolved into sordid and exploitative freak shows that encouraged verbal and physical altercations.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The bridge, which connects the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, has been closed intermittently throughout the week due to falling ice and weather conditions.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The union staff organized last spring and have been negotiating their first contract with management intermittently since September.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Higgledy-piggledy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/higgledy-piggledy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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