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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In addition to strong suction power and a self-cleaning brushroll, the Shark Matrix Clean uses a precision grid pattern to take multiple passes over messes, ensuring a deep clean on every square inch of your carpets and hardwood floors. — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 The Dodgers welcome their bitter rivals to Dodger Stadium on Thursday for what should be a big four-game series, but the San Diego Padres are a mess. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
Ships, like airplanes, are designed with fluid dynamics in mind, and biofoul seriously messes that up. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 Don’t mess with success anymore. — Andrew Lack, Forbes.com, 23 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
  • His counterpressing has been a major aid to the way the team plays, and Balogun’s ability to run in behind the lines and cause havoc in the box opens space and makes things easier for the attacking players around him.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • You’d be forgiven for thinking far fewer of the destructive predators are causing havoc, however.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Each format layers protein with fiber and healthy fats, which helps stretch a small meal into real nutrition.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Nausea is a common side effect of these medications, and heavy, greasy meals can amplify it rather than settle the stomach.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Definition of meal
Noun
  • But that’s Nolan, who’s always going to lead with his head and who even here circles around the sacking of Troy like the eventual sight of it will unlock all the anguish its protagonist feels but can’t express.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • The sight of the sun being blotted out has long had religious and spiritual meaning.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Definition of sight
Noun
  • Engineering experts said the conversion project is complex and poses many challenges, which include making sure older buildings can safely support new loads and carving up office floors to accommodate residential living.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • More crucially, Illinois’ grid is well-equipped to deliver the large electrical loads needed to process AI and other data.
    — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • Here’s when to watch and how to catch the best views before bright moonlight interferes.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • One area where the government interfered rather aggressively in the economy concerned the rates and tariffs the railroads charged.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Definition of interfere
Noun
  • When the typewriter was first invented, writers kicked hell and said, The thing is writing.
    — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
  • The cast, of course, knew that experience of family as heaven, hell and somewhere in between.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • The menu also features Big Green Egg smoked brisket (black-eyed peas, collard greens and red onion marmalade) and Thai turkey and sweet potato hash (red jasmine rice, crispy shallots, basted egg and prik nam pla).
    — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Coastal flavors and seasonal catches are on the menu at a new restaurant coming soon to Charlotte’s Cotswold neighborhood.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Definition of menu
Noun
  • Both O’Flynn and Rhys have had spotlight episodes so far this season, but will Emmys voters see the pathos and creativity behind the laughs and frights?
    — William Earl, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Definition of fright

Phrases Containing mess

Browse Nearby Words

mesomorphic
mess
message
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on mess

Nglish: Translation of mess for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All