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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His arrival disrupted Diawara’s rhythm but gave Brown a gritty, experienced defender for small-ball combinations.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
An uneven jobs landscape and disrupted energy markets due to the war in the Middle East has made the Federal Reserve more sensitive to inflation in recent months, resulting in a pause on rate cuts.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as Adebayo stumbled to regain his balance, Ball reached out and pulled on Adebayo’s leg.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Adebayo stumbled but did not fall.—
Steve Reed,
Chicago Tribune,
15 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
-
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
-
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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Adebayo took his hard fall when tripped by the hand of Ball while saving the ball from going out of bounds beneath the Heat basket with the Heat down 28-26.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Ball tripped Adebayo, with Ball swiping and making contact with Adebayo’s lower leg.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 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
-
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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Trump had lashed out at the pontiff in a Truth Social post on Sunday night and repeated those criticisms Monday.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
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Trump’s post also lashed out at The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board for writing that the president had declared victory against Iran prematurely.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
9 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 21 Apr. 2026.
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