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
Michael Silver, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Paper towels are popular for their convenience in cleaning up messes, absorbency, and versatility.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Its full 360-degree swivel head and extra-scrubby (yet extra-gentle) mopping pads were similarly made with bigger messes in mind.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
By addressing messes quickly and effectively, these types of products can help prevent stains, odors, and wear that often lead to deeper cleaning, repairs, or replacements.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Think of it like wiping down kitchen counters — a little routine effort prevents big messes from building up.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
The compact vacuum converts into a handheld device for daily messes and spills above the floor.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
This genius device marries a mop and a vacuum to clean wet or dry messes on hard floors, including vinyl.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
The fee for cleaning up vomit or other messes left behind by passengers would go up from $50 to $100.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
The latter may be tied to iron deficiency from irregular periods, plus the drop in estrogen, which messes with the dopamine activity that regulates muscle control.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
This time, the NFL’s strategy for a potential lockout includes using technology to clean up the replacement refs’ potential messes, via centralized decision-making from the league’s Manhattan offices.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Paper towels are popular for their convenience in cleaning up messes, absorbency, and versatility.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Its full 360-degree swivel head and extra-scrubby (yet extra-gentle) mopping pads were similarly made with bigger messes in mind.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
By addressing messes quickly and effectively, these types of products can help prevent stains, odors, and wear that often lead to deeper cleaning, repairs, or replacements.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Think of it like wiping down kitchen counters — a little routine effort prevents big messes from building up.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
The compact vacuum converts into a handheld device for daily messes and spills above the floor.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
This genius device marries a mop and a vacuum to clean wet or dry messes on hard floors, including vinyl.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
The fee for cleaning up vomit or other messes left behind by passengers would go up from $50 to $100.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
This rug can stand up to all your pets’ messes with its durable fibers that are easy to spot-clean.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
The latter may be tied to iron deficiency from irregular periods, plus the drop in estrogen, which messes with the dopamine activity that regulates muscle control.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Mar. 2026
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
-
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Baba itself offers individual and family-style meals featuring Greek staples like tzatziki, hummus, and falafel.—
India Amos,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
There is also more competition than ever in the restaurant space for health-conscious diners and protein-rich snacks and meals.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
And the horrors, Coles said, didn’t go away even when his stepfather did.—
Alex Zietlow,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
And the horrors, Coles said, didn’t go away even when his stepfather did.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Engineers can simulate movements, loads, and environmental conditions before real deployment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
However, there are moments of reprieve between loads of clothes, sheets, and towels.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is where Earth’s atmosphere interferes least.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, the real world always interferes.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
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
-
Luckily, there are plenty of options to enjoy with the mother figure in your life, from elaborate buffets to playful afternoon teas to family-friendly celebrations where the little ones have their own menus.—
Samantha Nelson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Mother’s Day falls on May 10 this year, and restaurants across Houston are getting ready with brunch, prix fixe menus and deals for moms.—
Ana Khan,
Houston Chronicle,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The astronauts also witnessed sights of the moon's far side never seen with the unaided eye during a historic lunar flyby April 6.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Later on, the sights of Camden Market and Gasholder Park promise a lovely balance between the buzz and tranquillity of London.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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