1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a hugger-mugger presentation of the facts of the case that left everyone confused
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a tale of hugger-mugger doings and international espionage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugger-mugger
Adjective
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The Rise Of Squiggly Thinking: Embracing The Nonlinear So, where does that leave us clever, irrational, gloriously messy humans?—
Lee Salisbury,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025 -
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
Adjective
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He was allegedly held in a clandestine detention site and tortured by intelligence agents.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
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Guests can order craft cocktails at the circular bar, and for those who indulge, there’s a small, clandestine cigar room just off the entrance.—
John Wogan,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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The Han Solo bon mot is reminiscent of Diego Luna's confusion when he is asked about smoothing some of Cassian Andor's rougher edges to go undercover as fashion designer Varian Skye in the second block of Andor season 2 episodes.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
1 May 2025
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Next up, he’s set to star alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Sean Bean in the action comedy Deep Cover, about a group of improv actors who are asked to go undercover.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The covert intervention in Chile is perhaps the best example.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2025
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Based on the students’ correspondence and diaries, their covert engagement with Catholic thought became a cornerstone of the White Rose’s rejection of Nazi tyranny.—
Peter Nguyen,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The new house is now disgustingly filthy and filled with trash and the smell of cat urine.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2025
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The common areas of the building have been filthy, too: trash all around the grounds and dirty stairwells.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Even the price tag of the new Mount Weather work is confidential, but contracting details suggest workers will must be skilled in both underground construction and HVAC equipment, including air handlers.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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In 1965, the hotel built an underground bunker where guests could shelter during US air raids.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And when the owner of the second-largest private company in the United States speaks, there’s an oracle-like aura that demands parsing.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
2 May 2025
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Each silo features modern amenities like plush beds, kitchenettes, private patios, and climate control, all while keeping a rustic, back-to-the-land feel that fits the Montana landscape.—
Joni Sweet,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hugger-mugger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugger-mugger. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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