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
-
Being pushed out of a stable home disrupts childhood learning and mental health.—
Jane Hursh,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2025 -
We've all been told not to look at a screen before bedtime because the light disrupts sleep, right?—
Sanaz Meshkinpour,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Ellie hides her injury from Dina when her friend arrives to rescue her, and the women are summoned to appear before the town leaders to share their experience.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Ellie hides her injury from Dina when her friend arrives to rescue her, and the women are summoned to appear before the town leaders to share their experience.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Minnesota would finish fifth if Memphis beats Denver and the Clippers beat the Warriors or if Denver beats Memphis and the Warriors beat the Clippers.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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If Denver beats Memphis and the Clippers beat the Warriors, the Wolves would finish sixth.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
What does ‘no fault or negligence’ actually mean?—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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What law enforcement does, the overdose epidemic marches on, with New Yorkers dying preventable deaths out of a combination of social factors, the tainting of the drug supply with potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and what has often been a lack of available treatment and support.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When the biggest name in the sport jumps teams, a tsunami hits.—
Olivia Hicks,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Snow White hits theaters on March 21.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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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 1 Jul. 2025.
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