1
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
the bachelor party had left the house in a total mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meal
food eaten or prepared for eating at one time
a mess of oatmeal
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in loads
a considerable amount
an unexpected Super Bowl loss that unleashed a whole mess of finger-pointing and second-guessing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to interfere
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
please don't mess with me while I'm trying to concentrate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of mess
Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Our primary is the kind of race that would be a mess without RCV: 11 candidates, representing a range of ideologies, backgrounds, and neighborhoods.
—Andrew Yang, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
So, avoid messing things up with these simple tips for cooking delicious, juicy cheeseburgers on a propane grill.
—Joe Difazio, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
The federal budget is a mess, with federal debt held by the public at $29 trillion and counting.
—Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Our primary is the kind of race that would be a mess without RCV: 11 candidates, representing a range of ideologies, backgrounds, and neighborhoods.
—Andrew Yang, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
But, if those guys [the oligarchs] do start messing everything up, then there is really something for normal people to worry about.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
So, avoid messing things up with these simple tips for cooking delicious, juicy cheeseburgers on a propane grill.
—Joe Difazio, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
The narrow streets bend, wrap back on themselves, and otherwise create directional havoc.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
-
The consent decree clears a major hurdle for the Omnicom-IPG deal, with the companies seeking to merge as artificial intelligence prepares to wreck havoc across the industry.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
In one study, adults who took a vitamin D supplement with a fat-containing meal had a 32% higher absorption rate than adults who took vitamin D with a fat-free meal.6 Zinc: Research shows that zinc supplementation may increase vitamin D levels, reducing the risk of vitamin D deficiency.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
20 June 2025
-
Dining here is part culinary experience, part living history—waterfront meals served with side views of boats, seals, and whales cruising by.—
Taryn White,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Roundabouts replaced all the traffic lights, and the overhanging electrical lines were buried out of sight.—
Sally Ventura
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
-
Make automatic contributions to savings accounts so the money is out of sight and out of mind.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Any hint that Iran might interfere there—for example, with drone activity, military drills, or even underwater mines—sends traders scrambling.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Cid also said that Bolsonaro refused to interfere regarding camps by supporters that were set up in front of army facilities calling for a military intervention after the then-president lost the election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
Season two saw Valerie cast in an HBO project about the sitcom writer who made her life hell in season one, earning widespread acclaim professionally even as her personal life was falling apart.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
-
There’s more pressing current affairs to attend to right now, and hell, there’s a new Lorde album to bop to.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The menu, created by IT group’s head chef Romualdo Palladino, features appetizers such as the mini buns with sweet and sour chicken and mustard sauce.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
20 June 2025
-
The bank is opening Sapphire Lounges in airports across the country, and partnering with chefs to help curate their menus.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Well, consider that, unlike what’s happening in the world at large, the frights and delights inside Viola’s Room are actually fun.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
Ah well, Cesare already has two sequel novels published, so there’s already plenty more Frendo the Clown frights ready to be harvested.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The Houston Rockets are acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal struck Sunday, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
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Trump had repeatedly urged Iran to make a deal on its nuclear program before striking its nuclear facilities, but the country pulled out of ongoing talks with the U.S. scheduled for June 15 in Oman and refused to return to the table in the following days.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2025
Video
Hot Mess
Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings
Cite this Entry
“Mess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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