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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San Francisco’s star defensive end tackled running back Ken Walker III for no gain on first-and-5 from the 9-yard line, then pushed right tackle Abe Lucas back in the pocket on second down, causing Darnold to fumble.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025 -
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver also caused Derrick Henry to fumble – the running back’s only blemish during the night.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, concern is growing about how certain food additives and preservatives may disrupt the gut’s delicate balance.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
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Anders is disrupting financial services.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Inspired by true events, The Rip centers on a team of Miami police officers who stumble upon millions in cash during a raid of a stash house.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Rise of Long-Horizon Capital Where VCs stumbled, others seized control.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That could look like gliding your fingers down them, kissing, licking, or gently biting those areas.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
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Go from the base to the tip with your tongue, kiss it, lick it and remember most of us have difficulties cumming just with oral.—
Ian Kumamoto,
Them.,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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Traditional front-fan cases have the advantage of blowing air directly onto the components that those fans are intended to keep cool, but side-radiator cases (like Lian Li's O11 Vision Compact) offer better views of internal components for showcase-PC builders.—
Thomas Soderstrom,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Several videos begin with Taddese’s friend, who wore a white shirt and gray pants, pushing a persondown as that individual trips him.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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In Bora Bora, trips with Bora Diving Center (by Eleuthera) are another good bet for seeing mantas and schooling eagle rays within the famous lagoon.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
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At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In corroborating much of the testimony Pentagon intelligence official David Grusch offered in July 2023, Elizondo also accused the Department of Defense of hiding its UFO programs from Congress while misappropriating funds to operate them.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 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 14 Sep. 2025.
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