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
Relevance
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 real world can be messy, and issues will occasionally come up that are out of your control.—
Egor Karpovich,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025 -
The plating was a little messy on a few dishes during my visit.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Syria under Assad is believed to have operated an extensive clandestine nuclear program, which included an undeclared nuclear reactor built by North Korea in eastern Deir el-Zour province.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 June 2025
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The only way to pre-empt detection by these IAEA watchdogs would be for Ukraine to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expel the atomic inspectors, but those moves would amount to trumpeting Kyiv’s clandestine quest to develop a nuclear warhead.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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The 2021 withdrawal was unacceptably chaotic and bloody, the takeover by the Taliban shameful, but that war is now over.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
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No dogs will be allowed because Matthews didn’t want dogs’ first experience at the facility to be chaotic and filled with stress.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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So is this mystery novel secretly the story of The Gilded Age and is this an undercover crossover?—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
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The missing money controlled by Velazquez was supposed to go toward undercover narcotics operations.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Striking Iran’s nuclear program would likely set off a much larger conflict in which Israel and the United States hunt for covert Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran retaliates in the Middle East and beyond.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
26 May 2025
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Mon Mothma's speech Mon Mothma's covert support of the Rebels becomes public following the devastating events of the Ghorman Massacre.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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The law specifically spells out heating problems, pest infestations and filthy conditions as among the issues that could require a court’s intervention.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
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Detectives have criminally charged the owner of nearly 50 Belgian Malinois dogs that were found trapped together in a cramped, filthy Queens apartment, police said Wednesday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Autonomous trams and underground trains operate in many European countries, and a variety of transportation vehicles move autonomously in closed environments such as factories and ports.—
Forrester,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Scores of people were trapped in Madrid’s underground metro system.—
Wired News,
Wired News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Back in August 1993, an eight-year-old Harry, along with his older brother Prince William, then 11, enjoyed a private visit to Walt Disney World in Florida with Princess Diana.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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In fact, private equity has been paying strong multiples to buy and invest in franchises over the past 10 to 15 years.—
Patrick Galleher,
Forbes.com,
6 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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