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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of higgledy-piggledy
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
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
Go local in Tokyo Courtesy of Trunk Hotels Hidden in the higgledy-piggledy lanes of Tokyo’s Kagurazaka district (also known as ‘Little Kyoto’), Trunk(House) helps its guests experience the city in a way few other hotels can.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2023
Adverb
Instead of obsessing over the latest higgledy-piggledy, do something useful.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
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
Go local in Tokyo Courtesy of Trunk Hotels Hidden in the higgledy-piggledy lanes of Tokyo’s Kagurazaka district (also known as ‘Little Kyoto’), Trunk(House) helps its guests experience the city in a way few other hotels can.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for higgledy-piggledy
Adjective
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That mix of vulnerability, humor, and diplomacy is classic Angela: unbothered but not detached, direct but never messy.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
29 Apr. 2025
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Downside: Their fall was so swift and messy that this might not be a quick turnaround — and, if the Rangers are bad again in 2025-26, a new coach might get swept out the door with GM Chris Drury.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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While it’s been a topsy-turvy season for the South London club, starting poorly and gradually building some form, Wharton—injured during the middle section of the campaign—has long shown ability.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Upon his twenty-first birthday, he is freed and comes ashore to join society and find a bride, but as with all Gilbert and Sullivan pieces, topsy-turvy hijinks ensue, this time as a result of some improbable calendrical technicalities.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As chaotic and entertaining as the transfer portal is, keeping star-caliber pieces in college is vital to building a truly elite team.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Viewers looked forward to their weekly check-in with Akil’s characters, who are as flawed and resilient as real people, neither Shonda levels of chaotic nor reality-TV caricatures.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The whipsaw turns have left markets, governments and consumers alike confused and worried about what’s next.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
-
However, the tricky part is that communications are confused, especially with family members or home repairs.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
1 May 2025
Adverb
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When Lucas accidentally shoots and kills a local rancher, he's sentenced to hang.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
3 May 2025
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Money grab: Passersby grab $300K in bills after security truck accidentally spills cash in Illinois Were all the dimes recovered?—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Higgledy-piggledy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/higgledy-piggledy. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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