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
For a country celebrating its 250th year of business, the US is kind of a mess. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026 Nationally speaking Contemplate the national housing burden compared to the Golden State’s mess, as measured by the median results from these six California metro areas. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 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
  • Hundreds of homes and businesses in Queens were without power Sunday after a sudden storm caused havoc across the city a day earlier, flooding major highways and leaving motorists stranded.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • Bernthal’s biggest scenes are flashbacks to the Trojan War, as Menelaus and his army wreak bloody havoc on Troy that haunts Odysseus for many years after.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • The footage suggests that the brutal body slamming may be in service of a meal — or perhaps a form of play for the orcas, researchers reported Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Ethology.
    — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • These apex predators are fearsome hunters who employ diverse strategies and work collaboratively when tracking down a meal.
    — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of meal
Noun
  • But across the street at the Viper Room — the nightclub that, admittedly, had seen better days — a strange sight caught his eye.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 July 2026
  • Anyone who has watched the Sopranos knows there are few sights more soothing than watching Carmela Soprano lather her hands up to her elbows in lotion.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of sight
Noun
  • Why the farmer’s walk works Walking with heavy loads recruits nearly every major muscle group, with particular activation in the core and lower body.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Flaxseeds From lowering cholesterol to lowering the risk of certain diseases, flaxseeds come with loads of health benefits.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 July 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • In her role as well as elsewhere, Kalle downplays the explicit homophobia that might have rendered this a more simplistic allegory, making Asla less a figure of interfering jealousy than a woman who simply doesn’t want to be abandoned yet again.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
  • Marina interfered again and delivered a stiff punch to the midsection of Matt.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of interfere
Noun
  • In Harrenhal, Aemond is plagued by nightmares of his (not) dead brother dragging him to hell.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • After being a key to the victory of the Trojan War, Greek hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) goes to hell and back trying to get home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) and son (Tom Holland) in Nolan's brutal yet introspective adaptation of Homer's epic poem.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of hell
Noun
  • The menu also features sandwiches from places all over the world like Japan, Canada, Germany, England and more.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • An upscale waterfront option in Belmont with a scenic setting and a menu focused on contemporary American cuisine, seafood and steaks.
    — Evan Moore July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Definition of menu
Noun
  • After a couple of rounds of throwing up and an evaluation by the doctor, Coop is okay, but the whole thing puts a fright into the crew, and especially into Joy.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
  • They were not used to being hunted and had quickly got over their fright.
    — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 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 28 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mess for Spanish Speakers

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