1
as in fumbled
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 disrupted
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 stumbled
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 licked
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 messed (up)
Verb
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In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026 -
Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, with missiles intercepted over Gulf capitals and air travel repeatedly disrupted, the long-standing stability of Dubai expat life is being questioned.—
Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
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The case stems from the September 2024 fire at the BioLab facility, which sent a large plume of smoke into the air, forced more than 17,000 people to evacuate and about 90,000 others to shelter in place, and disrupted nearby businesses and neighborhoods.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Apple has stumbled in its efforts to deliver new features built on AI, as was promised nearly two years ago.—
Kelvin Chan,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
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The two were seated courtside at Madison Square Garden in New York when OG Anunoby crashed over a barrier and almost stumbled right into them.—
Emily St. Martin,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When a boy had licked her neck at a party during the first week of college, a stranger!—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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There was one girl who licked doorknobs.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Rockets were confused, Durant being a late scratch and their attack being lost without him, Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson combining for 38 shots and a bunch of misses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Several residents say they were left scared and confused as strong winds and heavy rain moved through the area.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jones made his way off the podium to greet Clinton and tripped getting over to him.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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The skull fracture was likely caused when Martinez tripped while holding Heather a couple weeks before her death, the attorneys found.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Apr. 2026
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Trump has long pounded the table for rate cuts and has wanted Fed Chair Jerome Powell out for years.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As Fils-Aimé and Rubio met, heavy rain lashed metropolitan Port-au-Prince, where several streets were flooded, making traffic difficult and disrupting residents’ daily activities.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
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Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Carlson — and other right-wing influencers — in recent months who have become disenchanted with the president.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Messed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messed%20%28up%29. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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