1
as in jumbles
a state in which everything is out of order
the bachelor party had left the house in a total mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meals
food eaten or prepared for eating at one time
a mess of oatmeal
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in horrors
something unpleasant to look at
the car was a mess after the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in loads
a considerable amount
an unexpected Super Bowl loss that unleashed a whole mess of finger-pointing and second-guessing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interferes
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
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Recent Examples of messes
Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Ovens see a lot of messes from foods that spill onto the bottom or racks that can become burnt overtime the longer the messes sit and bake.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
This typically includes cleaning up the week’s messes and prepping food and snacks for the week to come.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Hot, soapy water is generally sufficient for cleaning up everyday messes on kitchen countertops, cutting boards, and kitchen sinks, says Taylor Dunivin, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group, an environmental health nonprofit.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Avoid jumbled messes by opting for divided organizers or smaller containers when trying to corral tiny items.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Another part of me thinks that shielding him from the consequences would teach him that someone will always clean up his messes.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Cleaning vinegar is a powerful, eco-friendly solution that can tackle tough household messes better than white vinegar.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
In Lost Lambs, the internet sabotages a family in much the same way that Napoleon messes things up for the Bezukhovs in Tolstoy’s War and Peace.
—Gideon Leek, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Somebody does something terrible and messes it up.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Instead, wipe with a soft microfiber cloth and a small amount of cold water for everyday messes.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Ovens see a lot of messes from foods that spill onto the bottom or racks that can become burnt overtime the longer the messes sit and bake.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
This typically includes cleaning up the week’s messes and prepping food and snacks for the week to come.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Hot, soapy water is generally sufficient for cleaning up everyday messes on kitchen countertops, cutting boards, and kitchen sinks, says Taylor Dunivin, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group, an environmental health nonprofit.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
Avoid jumbled messes by opting for divided organizers or smaller containers when trying to corral tiny items.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Another part of me thinks that shielding him from the consequences would teach him that someone will always clean up his messes.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Cleaning vinegar is a powerful, eco-friendly solution that can tackle tough household messes better than white vinegar.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
Each has a meltdown worthy of a telenovela, messes with the crime scene and hours later the police are called.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
In Lost Lambs, the internet sabotages a family in much the same way that Napoleon messes things up for the Bezukhovs in Tolstoy’s War and Peace.
—Gideon Leek, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Somebody does something terrible and messes it up.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messes
Noun
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The result also spotlights conference championships’ awkward fit in the current system, particularly given the fact that conference expansion has led to jumbles atop each league’s standings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
One by one, barbecue meals are expanding from simple, satisfying lunches into belly-groaning, over-the-top exercises in gluttony.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
-
With multiple sites across Louisville’s northeastern suburbs, Gustavo’s offers diners several convenient places to gather for weeknight meals, business lunches, or weekend celebrations.—
Staff report,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On the surface, at least, the glitzy Russian capital, with its shops and cafes and traffic jams, is well-insulated against the horrors of the frontlines, save the occasional interception of Ukrainian drones, about which few Muscovites, frankly, spare a passing thought.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Why, Newman wrote, would Julian choose to give the world reason to doubt that the horrors unfolding in Europe were actually happening?—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Autonomous aircraft can move smaller loads more discreetly.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
For larger loads, the company recommends using two tiles.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If Washington overtly interferes in European elections or takes the dramatic step of annexing Greenland, the postwar alliance framework, already strained, could fracture.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
This Ministry frequently interferes in employers’ decisions, instigates acts of discrimination by authorities and organizations, brings weight to bear on the organs of justice and even orchestrates propaganda campaigns in the media.—
Jonny Diamond,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Smith stays largely mum on the news of the day, be that Kirk’s killing, or ICE raids, or whatever hells await in the coming weeks.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The protagonist's youth doesn't defang the story, as Silent Hill f wastes no time thrusting Hinako and her friends into their personal hells.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The food is incredible, with both continental items and expansive menus for breakfast and lunch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Among so many other highlights, the culinary experience deserves attention, with menus at both restaurants that read like love letters to the island, highlighting ingredients from the oversized hydroponic greenhouse.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Bulldogs now set their sights on winning back-to-back Boston City League championships and their fourth in five years.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Winter may still be in full swing, but travelers seeking a warm-weather getaway have their sights set on California.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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