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 people in it are depicted as messy, earnest, and trying their best.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026 -
And finally, take really messy or stinky items straight to the outdoor trash can.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The documentary is built around the investigative work of journalists Katya Hakim and Denis Korotkov who picked up the mantle from three colleagues who were brutally slain while looking into Wagner’s clandestine activities in Africa.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
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On this occasion in 2018, Rodriguez and others in the group had received an anonymous tip of a possible clandestine cemetery on the outskirts of Cordoba.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The attack unfolded in a chaotic scene Lang’s sparsely attended protest Saturday drew a far larger group of counterdemonstrators.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The scene had grown chaotic even before the devices were thrown.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Herlihy goes undercover as Jost, even appearing on the Late Night with Seth Meyers show.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
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Nick warned Mindi that an undercover team disguised as tree surgeons were planting surveillance cameras around their house.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Penguins were sloppy in the defensive zone and didn’t put the Flyers away on the power play.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
A couple sloppy Westlake possessions have given the Lady Tigers the momentum.—
American-Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Alexander Csergo, a Sydney business consultant, faces up to 15 years in prison after being the second person to be convicted under Australian laws against covert interference and espionage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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The program remained covert for decades and was publicly exposed in 1986 when technician Mordechai Vanunu leaked photographs and information about the site.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 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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Since then, Tehran has fortified Kharg heavily, building air defenses, hardened infrastructure and underground storage designed to keep oil flowing even under sustained attack.—
Imtiaz Tyab,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Parking would be underground and at street level, with 24/7 valet service.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 2026.
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