mess 1 of 2

noun

ˈmes How to pronounce mess (audio)
Definition of messnext
1
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order the bachelor party had left the house in a total mess

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2
as in meal
food eaten or prepared for eating at one time a mess of oatmeal

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3
as in sight
something unpleasant to look at the car was a mess after the accident

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4
as in loads
a considerable amount an unexpected Super Bowl loss that unleashed a whole mess of finger-pointing and second-guessing

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mess

2 of 2

verb

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mess
Noun
Hostettler says the mess was cleaned up in short order, and the hotel responded by posting its own video to show everything was again pristine. — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The result was a mess, and difficult to poll, though every pollster has found Hong well ahead of the field. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
The sequence in which Carmy tries to talk Richie down from a panic attack feels equally dynamic and alive right to its conclusion — when Carmy pretends they’ve gotten locked in, just as Carmy once was, to mess with Richie’s head. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 No one can match her depth and passion to get vengeance on Krem of the Yellow Hills for messing with her family — a sentiment Cancers understand. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
  1. havoc
  2. meal
  3. sight
  4. loads
  5. interfere
  6. hell
  7. menu
  8. fright
Noun
  • The tropical storm hit Japan days after Typhoon Dolphin created havoc in parts of southern Japan, paralyzing traffic and sending hundreds to take shelter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the center of the effort was sixth-year linebacker Nick Bolton, the quarterback of the unit, who focused on galvanizing the troops to create havoc and slow down an offense that had been humming earlier in the frame.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Current reports from the ship confirm continuous access to clean water, functional AC, and healthy meal options.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • My attempts to get each kind of meat, plus the hash browns and eggs, onto my fork weren’t successful, but the meal would have been great even if it was served to me blended up in a brunch smoothie.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of meal
Noun
  • Another key sight is watching the edge of Earth’s shadow gradually move across the lunar surface.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In Ripon, residents say feral cats are a common sight, including around Mavis Stouffer Park, where people have been leaving bowls of food for them.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of sight
Noun
  • The finding challenges earlier computer models that predict how nuclear fusion reactor materials handle extreme thermal loads.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For everyday loads of shirts, pants and towels, that’s more than enough.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • This year is especially favorable because the peak lines up with a new moon, meaning there will be essentially no moonlight to interfere.
    — Joe Ruch, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • More immediately, the opinion saved Trump from facing trial for interfering in the 2020 election.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of interfere
Noun
  • Minamoto Yoshitsune was a strategist who went to hell and took it over, defeating the Oni who guarded hell.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Goldberg has long been open about attempting to get another Sister Act movie off the ground, with Goldberg even previously listing Palmer as part of her dream cast for Sister Act 3, which has been stuck in development hell for years.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • About six months ago, Burger King debuted a major makeover for its flagship hamburger — the Whopper — to reignite interest in the seven-decade-old menu item.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of menu
Noun
  • But Broadway is a different beast, and the real question is whether horror audiences are willing to go beyond their local multiplex in search of frights.
    — William Earl, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • After a couple of rounds of throwing up and an evaluation by the doctor, Coop is okay, but the whole thing puts a fright into the crew, and especially into Joy.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Definition of fright

Phrases Containing mess

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mesomorphic
mess
message
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Cite this Entry

“Mess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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