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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Iain also makes a good-looking tart with raspberries and white chocolate (gag) on the top but then somehow fumbles it while trying to put it on his display stand.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025 -
While both teams were in position to flip some results, the Ravens have to feel a little snakebitten with how their games have played out, including a couple of fourth-quarter Derrick Henry fumbles.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On play one, Moore reads the tight end throwback pass and disrupts the catch (or else the tight end might still be running).—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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But when a mysterious and powerful agent disrupts the negotiations, Brahim discovers the shady side of the business.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After one thousand years of isolation, Iblis is given temporary freedom when Ka-young (Bae Suzy), a small town mechanic who doesn’t experience empathy, literally stumbles upon his lamp during a vacation in the deserts of Dubai.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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But there have been some career stumbles recently, a superhero disappointment in particular, that must have complicated Johnson’s conception of his remarkable career.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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When asked the question, the owl takes the lollipop and licks it three times before chomping down on its hard shell exterior and handing the stick back to the child.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the results lack the sparkle of that song, while reinforcing its message that some things are best left in the past … the quality control blows hot and cold here … Her mellifluously conversational singing is as appealing as ever.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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This one blows them out of the water.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Typically caused by a sensitive immune system — which confuses innocuous bacteria for harmful pathogens — symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, anemia, skin changes, arthritis and more.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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The disinformation pushed by these types of influencers confuses audiences, leaves them less informed, and erodes trust in actual journalism.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to a recent holiday travel report from Google Flights, the average price of airline tickets tends to be at its lowest for domestic Thanksgiving trips 39 days before departure.—
Michelle Baran,
AFAR Media,
29 Sep. 2025
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There are ghosts and spirits, horror episodes, trips back into the ‘70s, the odd touch of a Western.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 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 10 Oct. 2025.
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