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
Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
The resulting mess of colors and splotches would be impossible to put back together, even using a quantum computer, according to the research.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
Andrew Rice, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Like that series, this movie messes with your mind by taking full advantage of creepy backroom spaces.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
The resulting mess of colors and splotches would be impossible to put back together, even using a quantum computer, according to the research.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
Verb
Even the stadium itself can mess with the breeze, and in Bermuda earlier this month, the banks of temporary bleachers set up for spectators were creating a dead spot at the top of the course.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Like that series, this movie messes with your mind by taking full advantage of creepy backroom spaces.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
The Hornets thrived all season by creating havoc on the base paths.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Federico Chiesa Even though injuries have played havoc with Liverpool’s attack, Chiesa has been unable to secure a more meaningful role.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
But my favorite meal of all was room-service breakfast, served on our patio, with perfect ocean views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
-
The attorney said earlier this week that her clients also had been given meals containing worms, which prompted some detainees to go on a hunger strike.—
Julia Ainsley,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The executive producer and star points to earlier moments in the season, like when Ruben flinched at the sight of his dad through his bedroom window.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
To be unable to do that, Brind’Amour’s logic goes, would be to lose sight of the work.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
This especially applies to our special education teachers, many of whom carry increasingly unsustainable case loads.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
For example, the commercial loads in the CBS Sunday afternoon NFL games are identical to the loads that pop up during the games streaming on Paramount+.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Ripley went for the Riptide, but Cargill interfered.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
She was sentenced — correctly — for interfering in an election in her county and for allowing unauthorized access to the voting equipment, not for expressing her personal opinion.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
It's been a hell of a day, workwise.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
-
In it, Lestat is taken on a journey through heaven and hell by the devil, and Jesus offers his blood to Lestat to drink.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
There was an eight-pillow menu to choose from, which was a thoughtful touch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
Breakfast and lunch are buffet spreads, while dinner brings an à la carte menu that changes daily to reflect regional specialties.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
In set-pieces involving the Pooka, dark lighting and strong use of shadow results in some scenes that can give younger viewers a genuine fright.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
1 May 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 1 Jun. 2026.
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