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
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Recent Examples of mess
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
That and a whole mess of picks — who knows how many will be needed — is the pu-pu platter the Warriors are bringing to Milwaukee.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
So the idea here, in the best case, is that if federal officials are trying to enforce desegregation at a school in the South in the nineteen-fifties, for instance, then state and local officials cannot mess with them?
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
Closet organization is often seen as an intimidating, hours-long task that can feel redundant once the mess piles back up again.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
That and a whole mess of picks — who knows how many will be needed — is the pu-pu platter the Warriors are bringing to Milwaukee.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
The effect demands a more active degree of introspection than the average documentary, and Marczak’s unwavering commitment to that endurance test approach has a powerful way of messing with viewer expectations.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
So the idea here, in the best case, is that if federal officials are trying to enforce desegregation at a school in the South in the nineteen-fifties, for instance, then state and local officials cannot mess with them?
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
The weather was already causing havoc in the air — with about 1,000 flight disruptions at CLT airport — and on the ground, with State Highway Patrol handling over 175 wrecks so far.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In any case, the Chiefs’ self-evaluation this offseason is sure to focus on how the team can create more havoc — while also getting back to the production of past seasons when creating big plays was more the norm.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The facility lacked a complete consumer advisory for rare steak pho meals.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The money will go to scholarships and student support, including bilingual tutoring, mentorship, transportation and meals.—
Elissa Nadworny,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Back in the lineup after missing the majority of the 2025/26 season through injury, the German was a sight for sore eyes.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Besotted Benedict spends most of the beginning of the episode on the hunt for his love-at-first-sight, interrogating ladies on the promenade and showing up to balls with sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie) in tow for assistance.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The company has been generating revenue since shortly after its founding in 2017, hauling loads for customers like Walmart in trucks with human safety drivers at the wheel.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
There are loads of cool details hidden throughout the set, too, with refuelling pipes and a moving bridge that connects the tower to the Orion module.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And all the while, our gutless politicians watch from the sidelines so as to not interfere and risk angering their party.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The match ended in disqualification after Finn Balor interfered.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If all goes to hell and America devolves into a rank dictatorship, beware the bootlicker.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
This feels more like early Game of Thrones, when Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) was still cracking wise and not everything had gone to hell.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some chefs dedicate themselves to tasting menus of one-bite intricacies, with every microgreen tweezered into place and every sauce drizzled just so; others master the art of deep-frying turkeys.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Another delightful spot is Mistura Restaurant, which boasts Peruvian cuisine and an excellent cocktail menu.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes events dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
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Though Heitor is claimed to be no more harmful than a puppy, there are some moments of fright for Griff who is a little uneasy acting opposite him and at one point panics and tosses him overboard, resulting in Heitor’s gruesome demise.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 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 2 Feb. 2026.
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