HUGGER-MUGGER Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

hugger-mugger

adjective

Definition of hugger-mugger

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

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

Both parties emerged from the progressive era as messy coalitions of diverse constituencies and interests, not uniform ideologies.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
This is where things get messy, and many folks — oligarchs in particular — become invested in keeping the general voter confused.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of messy

Adjective

Across Greengrass’ three Bourne movies, the elite assassin turns against the clandestine institution that created him, determined to escape its grip and bring its covert operations to light.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
Or that the Apollo moon landing in 1969 was staged, the video shot on some clandestine movie set.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

The air space easily becomes crowded and in the case of moving stories like car chases, a bit unpredictable and chaotic.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
And in the Prokofiev, the Philharmonic delivers a thrilling mix of chaotic exuberance and acrobatic precision.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of chaotic

Adjective

Two men, ages 89 and 73, were caught with a house full of cocaine, marijuana and guns after Miami police conducted a raid Wednesday afternoon following an undercover sting in August, according to their arrest reports.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Jackson was particularly vocal in her criticism of the show’s shallow scripts, which featured plotlines about them going undercover as French maids, showgirls, lifeguards and, perhaps most infamously, prison inmates.

— Michael Callahan, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of undercover

Adjective

After the game on Sunday, Harbaugh called the performance sloppy.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Sunday’s season-opening debacle — a sloppy, uninspired and uninspiring 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium — was a first, giant step back for these Chargers.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of sloppy

Adjective

Part thriller, part dark romantic comedy, Smokeshow centers on a covert operative, Rory (Fahy), who becomes entangled with her target, the charming and devastatingly earnest Nolan.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Regardless of their opinion about Denmark, Greenlanders are becoming aware of, and are unnerved by, this semi-covert, sometimes glaringly obvious American pressure.

— Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of covert

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

Definition of littered

Adjective

Money from that sale will help the company access the funds to restart full underground production at the Ima Mine.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Sep. 2026
Industrial operators can deploy them to inspect narrow pipelines, ventilation shafts, sewers, and underground mines for structural flaws.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of underground

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hugged

hugger-mugger

hugging

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Style

“Hugger-mugger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugger-mugger. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hugger-mugger

adjective

Example Sentences

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