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, 16 Mar. 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
Although the bowls are often artfully arranged, this version is casual, with steamed vegetables added atop the rice in a higgledy-piggledy array.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 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
-
The internet’s onetime lovably messy provocateur has indeed turned over a new leaf, personally and professionally, and entered her Brand Safe era.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But the move comes at a particularly messy time in Puig’s life.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Maybe a school really can build an ideal college basketball roster amid the topsy-turvy chaos of the transfer portal, paying players and top-to-bottom overhauls.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
When the world is topsy-turvy, the theatergoing public seeks explanations.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But overall, humanoid robots still have a long way to go in demonstrating their capability to operate in complex and sometimes chaotic environments.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In Silky Smooth, Liao explores the chaotic stages of adulthood, scheduling fun plans with tired friends, the unfair treatment of single people, being attracted to silly men, and the fear of being a role model to her pretend children.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Tariff rates shifted so unpredictably for so long that companies are still struggling to build stable, long-term supply chains.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Because this form of cancer can metastasize so quickly and unpredictably, the only surefire method of prevention is a complete removal of the stomach, or total gastrectomy.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Trust us, this works a lot better than trying to check off multiple boxes and ending up with an area that just feels jumbled.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The musical, which examines in jumbled chronology the five-year relationship between novelist Jamie and actress Cathy, debuted in Chicago in 2001 and opened off Broadway the following year.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
That’s Duncan’s dilemma from the very beginning of this fitfully hilarious episode of The Audacity.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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
Adverb
-
Other possibilities include faulty wheel speed sensors or a brake pedal switch that’s intermittently failing.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Water District General Manager Erica Wolski said roads on Wildcat Canyon and San Vicente will have lane closures intermittently during the project.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Higgledy-piggledy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/higgledy-piggledy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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