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
-
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
-
My success — scholarships, businesses, properties — disrupts both narratives.—
Sofía Pereda,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Pairing incompatible flavors disrupts the harmony of the charcuterie creation.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Things do get more interesting when Mia stumbles upon an improbable house in the middle of the woods, occupied by a witchy old lady (Robin Bartlett).—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The film follows a finance guy named Alex (Arnett), who after splitting from his wife Tess (Laura Dern), stumbles into an unlikely hobby as a standup comic.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, debating whether put the heat on at my house as the season's first Nor'easter blows into Jersey.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Unlike overlapping or hook-and-eye designs that can get tricky, the zipper makes bathroom trips much easier—an incredibly practical feature.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Dunkin’ Donuts, Mister Softee, trips to Bridgeport with her sister and her mother, a shabby zoo or a museum.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share