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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In this case, that ball happens to be the complex that serves as the symbolic seat of the nation’s vibrant, messy, questioning, deeply political and hugely alive arts and culture scene.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026 -
Scuffs and chips will show up quickly, requiring frequent touch-ups that can end up creating messy layers.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Treasury also sanctioned associates, companies and vessels allegedly involved in a network used by Maduro’s former oil minister, Tareck El Aissami, to evade sanctions and resell Venezuelan crude through clandestine channels.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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Earlier this month, state officials reported dismantling a clandestine drug laboratory located south of Ensenada, marking the ninth such laboratory shut down by authorities in the span of a year.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Based on a 2019 Cosmopolitan article, the limited series follows an undercover investigator, played by Chastain, who infiltrates domestic extremist groups to thwart catastrophic large-scale attacks.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
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The measure would allow some exemptions, including for officers involved in undercover operations and SWAT duties or who are wearing religious garb.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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At times, Epstein characterized the billionaire’s office as sloppy and amateurish, exposing him to taxes and reputational risks while making sensitive payments.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Heat also ran into its own sloppy play, committing 19 turnovers.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The historic Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh is said to have used the hotel as a covert meeting spot during the First Indochina War.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
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What else is going on A Southern California man was sentenced to four years in prison for acting as a covert Chinese agent while helping elect an Arcadia City Council member.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Famously diverse, the club draws in a mix of locals, visitors, and a strong contingent of regulars who are deeply embedded in Berlin's underground scene.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Missouri - Travelers can cross the historic Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi River and explore underground cages.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Hugger-mugger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugger-mugger. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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