1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
messed up the drawing and had to start over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
a nap had messed up her hair and she looked a sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
if anyone messes up even once while we're recording, we have to start all over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
threatened that he would mess him up if he cheated at the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess (up)
Verb
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Even the Chargers special teams had slipped up, as returner Derius Davis fumbled a kickoff return in the third quarter that led directly to 3 Broncos points.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025 -
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey returned the final two punts in relief of Davis, who fumbled on a third-quarter kickoff return that set up Lutz’s 42-yard field goal.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Saltwater seeps into gardens, storms batter homes, and flooding disrupts daily life.—
Feleti Penitala Teo,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
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The hurricane in August 2005 also seriously disrupted the production of oil and shut down refineries in the Gulf of America.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Sep. 2025
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One of them had stumbled upon Sleep Token at a music festival a few years ago and had been hooked on the band’s teachings ever since, while the other had flown to New York from rural Texas just to be at the evening’s show.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During a bedtime conversation between Kaz and Caesar, for example, their dog keeps licking Caesar as Kaz tries to have a serious talk with him.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
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Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kansas football blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost to Cincinnati on Saturday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
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After blowing a golden opportunity against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Ravens blew out the Cleveland Browns but then coughed up another statement-win opportunity against the Detroit Lions last week.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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December 21 - January 19) Losing steam around a course or trip?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Farley, a former New York City health commissioner who teaches at Tulane University, acknowledged that many factors contribute to falls, including the physical impairments and deteriorating eyesight associated with advancing age; alcohol abuse; and tripping hazards in people’s homes.—
Paula Span,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By bridging cutting-edge research with accessible, actionable advice, this book fills a critical gap in the menopause conversation — one that has left millions of women confused, underserved and unheard.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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Others commented on the eeriness of discovering unfamiliar images in one’s personal gallery and the realization of how default app settings can confuse or alarm users.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cases of stowaways hiding in wheel wells are rare but not unprecedented — and survival is rarer still.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
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Waters can hide rocks, trees and debris.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Mess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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