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
Back on the boat, Joe and Nathan joke around in the crew mess. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 This is rice with mango — a local merchant said to describe the situation, using a common Spanish expression to describe a mess. — Nathan Jaccard, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
In Argentina, however, the Barras bravas remain a muscular, not-to-be-messed-with presence. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 July 2026 There was something a little therapeutic about messing it up. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 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 storms have caused flooding, havoc and devastation in several parts of Chile.
    — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • So where does this rank among the wackiest havoc ever wreaked by domes on innocent baseballs?
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Rates include all meals and drinks, plus a daily massage—much needed after a day spent gorilla trekking, hiking, or birdwatching in the nearby Volcanoes National Park.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Protein topped the list of college students’ dining preferences in 2026, and stocking the right dorm staples can close the gap between meals.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of meal
Noun
  • For several years after the biggest run of her career, Moon Choi, known in Korea as Choi Hee-seo, kept her trophies out of sight.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The streamer also has more anime and Japanese live-action content in its sights.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sight
Noun
  • This is the kind of test that quickly separates a power station that merely has an impressive number printed on its case from one with an inverter and battery management system capable of handling tough, real-world loads.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Data collected from the test rig could allow manufacturers to design heat pumps and heat exchangers for high temperatures, large loads, and changing conditions.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • The automakers also object to the government interfering in parts of the design that don’t improve the safety of the vehicle, saying a radio is different from seat belts and airbags.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The Vatican typically allows criminal investigations to play out before initiating canonical trials so as not to interfere, and that is especially so now in Australia, after the church's wretched legacy there of abuse and cover-up.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of interfere
Noun
  • And look at the Johnson-less segments, like the overlong Weekend Update (more on that later) — or especially the stale-as-hell midterm ads political cold open, another excuse to run through all the usual impressions.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Season 1 of The Watcher followed the Brannock family who moved into what was supposed to be their suburban dream home, and quickly became a living hell.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • The menu at Tarabel is a fusion of Portuguese, French and Italian cooking, with offerings sure to please most palates.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Most people come here for the ever-evolving menu of house cocktails.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of menu
Noun
  • Co-directors Matthias Clausen and Marc Andersen have created all kinds of studies into what keeps people coming back for frights.
    — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
  • There are also family activities, fall brews to sip, and food trucks to keep you fueled for the frights.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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