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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mess
Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Liz takes it upon herself to sort out the tricky mess for them.
—Grace Aldridge
august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2025
And to fill that space, fill it beautifully, not take up that space and mess it up in a sense.
—Danielle Pointdujour, Essence, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
Several months ago, the company had to roll back a change that made the bot into a sycophantic mess that would suck up to the user at every opportunity.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Liz takes it upon herself to sort out the tricky mess for them.
—Grace Aldridge
august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2025
And to fill that space, fill it beautifully, not take up that space and mess it up in a sense.
—Danielle Pointdujour, Essence, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
As such, bright moonlight will flood the sky through most of that key night and will certainly play havoc with any serious attempts to observe these meteors.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense is operating at a fairly efficient rate and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense has a front seven that’s capable of creating major havoc in the run and pass games.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Securing reservations in advance of a stay is a smart move to enjoy both the meal and the show.—
Margaux Lushing,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Though there’s a long and understandable tradition of chefs phoning in the breakfast shift and focusing their energy on dinner, this year was dominated by restaurants approaching the morning meal with excitement and creativity.—
Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Kangaroos lounge lazily on the beach, a surreal sight against the turquoise sea—while snorkelers drift through clear shallows teeming with Australian salmon, blue groper, and queen snapper.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Although the Cowboys have no plans of moving on from the homegrown star, the end of this saga appears to be nowhere in sight.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In 1979, the revolution’s leaders worried that the United States would continue to interfere in Iran and stymie the great transformation underway.—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Iran's other allies including the active Houthis, also did not interfere militarily.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
With love, with longing, with righteous rage or shameful guilt, on a sacrificial pyre or in the eternal flames of hell: There are so many ways to burn.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
An original work set in the world of 1950s ping pong culture, the film tells the story of Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These customers learn the hard way in viral Tiktok Adults ordering from the kid's menu more The kids menu is also becoming a go-to choice for adult diners, according to the survey.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Here’s what to know about the new La La Land kid’s menu.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Well, consider that, unlike what’s happening in the world at large, the frights and delights inside Viola’s Room are actually fun.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
Ah well, Cesare already has two sequel novels published, so there’s already plenty more Frendo the Clown frights ready to be harvested.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
He’s talked his way out of hostage situations and brokered deals to keep his colleagues alive.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The bottom line is downright depressing: short of a direct U.S. military intervention that no serious analyst would contemplate, Trump’s toolkit to will a Ukraine peace deal into existence is bare.—
Daniel DePetris,
Time,
7 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2025.
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