messed (up)

verb

past tense of mess (up)
1
as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way messed up the drawing and had to start over

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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

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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)
  1. fumbled
  2. disrupted
  3. stumbled
  4. licked
  5. blew
  6. confused
  7. tripped
  8. pounded
Verb
  • But in her concentration, Porsha fumbled her words, which made the Faithfuls, who were desperate for a crumb of evidence so early in the game, suspicious of her sincerity.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Before that, Tampa Bay fumbled scoring opportunities in five of the first seven innings and stranded five overall.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Definition of fumbled
Verb
  • The ledger would document who benefits, who bears risk, which industries could be disrupted and what safeguards were tested.
    — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Since the Iran war began in late February, global helium supply has been disrupted and prices have gone up substantially.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of disrupted
Verb
  • One day, in Korea, near the Chosin Reservoir, his marine division stumbled into a surprise attack by a hundred thousand Chinese infantry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Chipmakers have stumbled as some investors are taking profits after strong rallies.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Definition of stumbled
Verb
  • In Huntington Beach and San Clemente, the messy, wild waves licked the bottom of the pier structures.
    — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
  • When the tiffin is returned licked clean, Ila sends another meal but with a note, leading to a rich correspondence between the two.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Definition of licked
Verb
  • After the final whistle blew and this Norway team had made history, Haaland took a moment and looked into the Norwegian cheering section, trying to process what had just happened.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • There were also great chances for Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Spanish star, but nothing that got over the line and into the back of the net before the first half whistle blew.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of blew
Verb
  • When major international events bring millions of visitors unfamiliar with local customs, leaving guests confused by unexpected pricing practices.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • An executive at the sneaker company Vans has issued an apology after a collaboration with the streetwear brand Fugazi was confused for a collaboration with the legendary — and legendarily anti-consumerist — punk band Fugazi.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
Definition of confused
Verb
  • Egypt had taken a surprising lead in the 15th minute, but Argentina was quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolás Tagliafico in the box moments later.
    — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 8 July 2026
  • Argentina was quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolas Tagliafico in the box moments later.
    — James Robson, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Definition of tripped
Verb
  • Video shows the moment the roof collapsed at a BJ’s Wholesale Club in New Jersey as heavy rain pounded the state.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 July 2026
  • The second reason was that his sinking, two-seam fastball was getting pounded.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of pounded
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.

Browse Nearby Words

messed over
messed (up)
messed (with)
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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 13 Jul. 2026.

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