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
-
If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026 -
Sonny feels like a departure; unlike Bernthal’s mercenaries, Sonny fumbles with his gun, has a bleeding heart, and lays his vulnerabilities bare.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The seven-week conflict has jolted the global economy, with oil prices skyrocketing as the blockade disrupts vital shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Solar flares, intense bursts of energy in the sun's atmosphere, can trigger radio blackouts on Earth by increasing ionization in the upper atmosphere, which disrupts radio signals.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The action film stars Bob Odenkirk as a small town sheriff who stumbles on a larger conspiracy following a local bank robbery.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich follows the titular law firm worker who stumbles upon records involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company's culpability in a contamination incident.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this week, Becerra traded blows with Villaraigosa in campaign ads as previous polls showed the two struggling to break out of the splintered field of candidates.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Dornan eats a popsicle and blows a bubble from a piece of blue chewing gum, but that’s not the only playful piece.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The low-performing chefs are Rhoda, whose lamb confuses the kids; Sherry, whose grits were oddly flavored; and Oscar, whose puff pastry soaked up all the deep-fryer oil.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, the amount of walking that Japan trips require is no joke.—
Elaina Verhoff,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Jones, playing a rugged nonconference schedule every year, went 133-125 in eight seasons at TSU, leading the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament trips from 2021-23, including winning a pair of First Four games.—
Matt Young,
Houston Chronicle,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Messes (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
