1
as in fumbles
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 disrupts
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 stumbles
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 licks
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 messes (up)
Verb
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Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out.
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The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.
Verb
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Live Local also disrupts years of successful and careful planning by the city to promote compatible, consistent development in neighborhoods like Wynwood.
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After all, the status quo looks safer than making a big bet on something that disrupts everything from operations to revenue.
Verb
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In it, the man stumbles around, blinded by the sun, surrounded by insensible tourists.
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The conversation stumbles on for a few moments, but Crook can’t find the words.
Verb
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Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.
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At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.
Verb
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More likely Brock Lesnar blows this thing up.
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Cher’s court documents paint a bleak picture of how Allman, 49, allegedly blows through his $120,000 annual trust distributions.
Verb
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These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.
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But nobody confuses Harvard Extension School classes with the real thing.
Verb
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Early on in the clip, Jake Johnson’s former tennis star Dusty Boyd trips over the net and injures his wrist in a bad way.
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Longer trips sail to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Verb
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Back from a hamstring injury, Teoscar Hernández rejoins a relentless Dodgers offense that pounds 17 hits and three homers in a 9-4 win over the Athletics.
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Teams go bonkers when the player pounds their school name on the bracket.
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Cite this Entry
“Messes (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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