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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Then the rookie fumbled late in the first quarter and absorbed a huge hit that prompted the concussion spotter to pull him off the field for an evaluation.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 Aug. 2025 -
Ewers was sacked twice and fumbled the ball both times, losing possession.—
Omar Kelly
August 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Network bandwidth was a major concern—data transfers couldn’t disrupt production in any way.—
Apurva Wadodkar,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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While the effects of Trump's second presidency remain to be seen, his administration has already met its promise of disrupting the status quo of the federal government.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Wave have been fortunate that Orlando and Washington have also stumbled, keeping the gap small.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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Indeed, the Braves overcame an early 5-1 deficit in the series opener Tuesday with four runs in the fourth inning to tie the score, only to give it right back on a night when Spencer Strider stumbled, tying a career high with eight runs allowed in four innings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When Sunday ended, supremacy was restored – the Dodgers were back in first place in the NL West, and the Padres were licking their wounds, wondering what just happened.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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The little girl licks butter off a spoon, gets a bottle full of bone broth and uses her four teeth to gum ribeye steak.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The foghorn blew every 30 seconds and pelicans sailed above, doing a quick half corkscrew turn before diving.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kids weren’t tripping over themselves to sit and reach in their free time.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
12 Aug. 2025
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The report, which was obtained by The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, said police concluded that Trigg accidentally fell into the pool after tripping and falling on an inflatable chair.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The refusal by the union to obey the order left many travelers at Toronto Pearson International Airport confused and frustrated on Aug. 17.—
Allison Lampert,
USA Today,
17 Aug. 2025
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The Chiefs looked overwhelmed and confused at times.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Extraterrestrial Easter Eggs and Fun Facts – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Pixar films hidden throughout Elio, along with other fun facts.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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From a sniping position, Hughes fired a fatal shot and then walked back to his truck hidden in a nearby field, investigators said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2025.
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