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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mess
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
Chorizo, shrimp, clams, and corn soak in a rich beer-and-butter broth, brightened with lemon and parsley to deliver all the flavor of a hands-on boil without the mess.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Sarah Title, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
But this one was so good, so short, even Lisa couldn’t mess it up.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
Second, wind can blow dust, leaves, sticks, and other debris onto your wet stain, leaving a mess that is nearly impossible to clean up.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
Chorizo, shrimp, clams, and corn soak in a rich beer-and-butter broth, brightened with lemon and parsley to deliver all the flavor of a hands-on boil without the mess.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bad communication will mess everything up.
—Sarah Title, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
But this one was so good, so short, even Lisa couldn’t mess it up.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
While not all of the federal government’s tariff revenue is at risk, losing a huge chunk would still create havoc on the deficit and bond market.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Here, Southern tradition collides with global polish, turning the midmorning meal into something far more dynamic than basic bacon and eggs.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Either way, the butter dish adds a sense of thoughtfulness and tradition to everyday meals.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But there are also completely unexpected sights, like edible ferns, exotic chilis, and snake beans, which look like string beans but are about twice the length.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
With his jaw clenched and sights set on being the next James Bond, Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Major Will Tranter, a bomb disposal pro who’s both an ace sniper and a bit of a loose cannon, breaking protocol in his obsessive attempt to deactivate the vintage ordnance with minimal casualties.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Federal agents stopped three boats that were en route to South Florida from the Bahamas and were smuggling large loads of cocaine and dozens of Chinese migrants last week, according to court documents.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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On top of that, the humanoid handled different types of dishwasher loads, from dishes to glasses, adapting itself to execute the task with perfection.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some individuals were detained, and one of their family members tried to interfere and hit an officer, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But the coach allegedly interfered in that meeting too.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Also, sometimes the lure of carry is the shortest way to hell.—
Vineer Bhansali,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Eventually, the warden showed up and welcomed them to el infierno—hell.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At American Revelry, a Burleson restaurant with a varied menu, flatiron steak platters are about $25-$55.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Their five-course tasting menu changes daily, but their creativity and warmth are always consistent.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Haunted Scream Park opening weekend 'Tis the season for frights and delights!—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2025.
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