as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
came home to find a messed basement with his tools scattered about
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interfered
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 messed
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
His skin looks all messed up and he's hunched over in pain, hearing noises.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The first week or so of February will be a bit messed up because of bright moonlight.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Stagner had seen a lot of messed-up things in his life, from explosives in Iraq wounding fellow Marines to the gruesome aftermath of shootings in Brunswick.
—ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
Similarly, Ehrenreich — who has been building back a very interesting and strong career after taking some unfair critical brickbats along the way — is just terrific as this somewhat messed-up local cop.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
This mash-up is not a dish to be messed with.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
That idea has led to a rigid view that symphonic pieces aren’t to be messed with.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
But Jefferson found the experience of sitting there while lesser writers messed with his prose unbearable.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The Giants’ position really, really messed us up in trying to even negotiate with Oakland.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The Rock Hall just messed this one up.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Because there are some things that just can't be messed with.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026
Escarra messed with the torpedoes in 2025, but never committed.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
By making this register the emotional climax of the season, the show leaves us with the impression that John and Carolyn’s relationship was more messed up than fulfilling or loving.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
His skin looks all messed up and he's hunched over in pain, hearing noises.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The first week or so of February will be a bit messed up because of bright moonlight.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Stagner had seen a lot of messed-up things in his life, from explosives in Iraq wounding fellow Marines to the gruesome aftermath of shootings in Brunswick.
—ProPublica, 13 Sep. 2025
Similarly, Ehrenreich — who has been building back a very interesting and strong career after taking some unfair critical brickbats along the way — is just terrific as this somewhat messed-up local cop.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
This man is not to be messed with.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
This mash-up is not a dish to be messed with.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
That idea has led to a rigid view that symphonic pieces aren’t to be messed with.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
But Jefferson found the experience of sitting there while lesser writers messed with his prose unbearable.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The Giants’ position really, really messed us up in trying to even negotiate with Oakland.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The Rock Hall just messed this one up.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Because there are some things that just can't be messed with.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026
Escarra messed with the torpedoes in 2025, but never committed.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messed
Adjective
-
To make matters messier, Danson and Goldberg’s romance was cooling off and the two actually tried to get out of the Friars roast, but the club said the tickets had been sold and the show must go on.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Miami-Dade’s mayor is forcing out both her top deputy and the PortMiami director as her administration faces a costly and messy real estate deal to prevent the port’s fuel depot from being lost to a luxury condo development.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Bliss made a furious comeback before Michin interfered, leading to a four-woman brawl on the outside.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
-
Police said one man interfered as officers tried to assist the victim and refused to back away, ignoring multiple warnings.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
This efficient metro connects the whole city, without having to brave the chaotic, crowded streets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as gunfire erupted near the beach.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
While authorities snooped around, the charity’s fundraising expenses declined, dropping from $384,000 in 2016 to $111,000 in 2017.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Untrustworthy employees There have been cases where employees at security companies snooped through camera feeds.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
During the initial investigation, authorities determined that the man appeared confused and was experiencing a mental health crisis.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Even current and former DeSantis communications staffers appeared confused online about it.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Even at the height of his fame, there were dubious aspects of his personal life — often self-seeded to sustain his enigma — that poked hellified holes in his impermeability as an entertainer.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
3 June 2026
-
In the roadside planters, green sprouts poked up.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His edges going backwards can be a little sloppy, but with some refinement and good coaching, there could be something there.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
The Rays had a chance for more as the Tigers continued their sloppy play.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messed. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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