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
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
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
ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Stop messing with Wedgie, already.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
Enjoy easy-release, mess-free cooking without compromising on health.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Rock Hall just messed this one up.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Stop messing with Wedgie, already.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The actors ate boxed meals, and the Chinese crew surprised them with a large vanilla cake.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Sift in the flour, almond meal and baking powder.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And unlike past eras of elevated job insecurity, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the AI revolution has no end in sight.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During construction, this plate is embedded into the concrete foundation to distribute design loads to the civil structure while ensuring the alignment of the plant’s mechanical systems.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Einride's proprietary optimization software, Saga AI, is also being used to manage EV execution of select Amazon loads, including charging planning.—
Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hardly surprising when the average American citizen is being fiscally mugged by the consequences of double standards that have long been at play, with Israeli entities not only exempt from registering as foreign agents, but exceptionally blessed to freely interfere in American political life.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Then in August, the administration dismantled the Foreign Malign Influence Center, a branch of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that had stymied efforts by Russia, China and Iran to interfere in the 2024 election.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two Thousand and Late (Atypical Artists) Two Thousand and Late tells the story of a demon from hell sent to bring along the apocalypse.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … TABLES TURNED — 'The View' co-host says there's a 'special place in hell' for Caitlyn Jenner.—
,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Books about books, garments from Paloma Wool and Kiko Kostadinov, and trinket-y accessories are just the start, so grab an Americano or homemade cookie from its café menu to aid in your journey.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
What pulls me to Pann’s is a subtler Southern thread running through its menu.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 1390 Super Duke RR is leaner and better appointed for handling than the regular Super Duke R, and is sure to give your insurer a proper fright.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Dark, eerie, and paranoid (for good reason), the eight-episode season shifts back and forth from the casual grimness of an unwelcoming reality to the shocking frights of a stoner’s worst nightmare (the latter of which is shrewdly motivated by Rachel regularly smoking pot).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Mar. 2026
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 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
