mess (up)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess (up)
Verb
  • While that might seem to be a bit too optimistic for a franchise that has historically fumbled from a depth perspective, the team can’t rebuild an entire defensive depth chart in one year.
    Mike Kaye July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • Despite being ripe for a GOP takeover, the local committee fumbled its chance to usher another Republican into office, instead focusing on its inner feuds.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The industry’s year of strikes in 2023 also disrupted the flow of Hollywood movie releases to the local multiplex.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
  • Underneath the fun exterior, Red Bull was serious about its ambitions of disrupting F1’s front-runners and assembling a team that was capable of winning a championship.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Symptoms include shivering, memory loss, stumbling, confusion and sleepiness.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • But the Mets’ rotation stumbled in the second half of June and into the All-Star break.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The Boston Celtics are still licking their wounds following the heartbreaking end to the 2024-25 NBA season.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • And Lil Wayne agrees by licking my face, which is part of the job description for companion dogs.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • In the marquee Challenger matchup of the weekend, a rematch of the Mid-Season final, Las Vegas blew the doors off of Nashville.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Kaus was setting up the umbrella when a gust of wind blew her off a lifeguard stand, dropping her on the point end of the 1-inch metal pole, NJ.com reported.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • With no direct service, plane trips back to the U.S. can take upwards of 19 hours.
    William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Filmmakers clearly constructed all these scenes, a fact that neither trips our ethical wires nor stops our biological reactions.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • More than a month after the shooting, police located the vehicle Orona had driven, hidden on a Buckeye property owned by his girlfriend’s family.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 20 July 2025
  • But unlike other technologies, AI doesn’t hide its default bias.
    Pia Lauritzen, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
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.

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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 2 Aug. 2025.

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