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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After successfully bluffing his way into the house, Tom fumbles an attempt to hide his reasons for being there, leading Robbie to take him hostage.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
20 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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Cutting down trees disrupts the cycle, reducing rainfall and leading to drought.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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Sleep deprivation also disrupts mood regulation, often leading to anxiety, irritability or depression.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Zoë’s first adaptation stumbles out of the gate — in large part because this show isn’t really her show.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
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With the three Premier League stumbles and a grating 1-0 Champions League shutout to Galatasaray, Liverpool found itself with four uninterrupted losses for the first time since 2014.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 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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Coastal communities in southwest Jamaica took the most punishing blows from the storm, with catastrophic flooding and wind damage.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
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In the update, Cumberbatch and Colman play a seemingly perfect husband and wife with the perfect family, but underneath the façade is a powder keg of resentment and fierce competition that eventually blows.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the state’s message confuses parents, especially the poor and underserved, Anzalone said.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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And yet, even though not having children is becoming more widely accepted and understood in our society, there’s something about a woman who has never been married that still confuses and scares people.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Avoid long or sharp swords, sticks or canes to prevent injury if a child trips and falls.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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Nicholas trips over a bramble, falls to his hands and knees in the soaking grass.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 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 Nov. 2025.
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