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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Tallying the number of Americans detained by immigration agents is inherently messy and incomplete.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025 -
If a mess does happen, clean up spills or messy bakes early so that grime and grease don’t build up.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Joint operations by the Civil Police and the Health Surveillance Agency have led to the closure of four clandestine factories and the arrest of 41 people, according to a statement by the government of São Paulo.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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Instead of being purely driven by a life-changing amount of money, Carrie has feelings for Richard, having carried on a clandestine affair with him before their murder plot.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In this chaotic world of busy schedules, stressful current events and personal responsibilities, growing distracted from your internal world is common.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
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Not because it was magicked away by her brain’s chaotic bonds, but because her husband, Charles (Christian Slater), abruptly returned and got the job done.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Though the story that White had told the undercover officers didn’t suggest an intentional killing, he was charged with murder.—
Eren Orbey,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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Border czar Tom Homan received $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents.—
Kate Wolffe
October 9,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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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Gallagher Trombley, the Digital Mom Media founder, worries that the helicopter parenting and the constant surveillance of our children, covert or otherwise, might have harmed an entire generation.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
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Those concerns have reportedly deepened tensions within the Pentagon over the military’s expanding role in supporting covert geopolitical objectives without clear congressional authorization.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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For collaborating with British officers while on parole, he was transferred to solitary confinement in a filthy cell.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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All living Gaza hostages are now free 20 living hostages were returned to Israel by Hamas after being held in underground tunnels with little food, water, or medical care for two years.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
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Just as sophisticated as Hamas, which built hundreds of miles of underground tunnels as part of its preparations for war with Israel?—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2025.
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