as in mess
a state in which everything is out of order
a professional chef would not tolerate such messiness in the kitchen
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Recent Examples of messiness
Training data for robots is slow, physical, and expensive, often requiring human teleoperation or imperfect simulations that struggle with real-world messiness.
—
Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
That grunge and that messiness.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
Plus, a party bus with purpose, the messiness of paying influencers, Jenn Harris’ restaurant of the summer and big James Beard wins.
—General Manager, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Human relationships are also messy, and that messiness helps kids learn about themselves and the world.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 12 June 2026
Taking a little break from the messiness of life doesn’t hurt either — and, frankly, there’s something quite funny about a real live Deutschlander visiting the bizarre-o Alpine world that is Helen.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 10 June 2026
Disclosure Day can be messy, but much of its beauty lies in that messiness.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 June 2026
Its messiness allowed for sparkling instances of pure talent to emerge from its cast.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
The messiness of a 13-year scientific undertaking, the back-channel negotiations, the philosophical disagreements, the institutional maneuvering — none of that fits neatly into an obituary.
—Zachary Utz, STAT, 15 May 2026
Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
That grunge and that messiness.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 18 June 2026
Plus, a party bus with purpose, the messiness of paying influencers, Jenn Harris’ restaurant of the summer and big James Beard wins.
—General Manager, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Human relationships are also messy, and that messiness helps kids learn about themselves and the world.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 12 June 2026
Taking a little break from the messiness of life doesn’t hurt either — and, frankly, there’s something quite funny about a real live Deutschlander visiting the bizarre-o Alpine world that is Helen.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 10 June 2026
Disclosure Day can be messy, but much of its beauty lies in that messiness.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 June 2026
Its messiness allowed for sparkling instances of pure talent to emerge from its cast.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
The messiness of a 13-year scientific undertaking, the back-channel negotiations, the philosophical disagreements, the institutional maneuvering — none of that fits neatly into an obituary.
—Zachary Utz, STAT, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messiness
Noun
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Topuria was a bloody and swollen mess by the time his corner stopped the fight between the fourth and fifth rounds.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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In other words, why mess with perfection?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Metal barricades surrounded Madison Square Garden and police checkpoints were up around Penn Station as city officials scrambled to prevent a repeat of Wednesday night’s chaos, when dozens of fans were taken into custody after the Knicks’ historic comeback.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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The couple, now preparing to welcome their first baby, are excited to see how the space will soften further, adapting to tiny feet and a little more chaos.—
Aditi Sharma,
Architectural Digest,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
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Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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El Niño can also wreak havoc on the many marine ecosystems that support the world’s fishing industries, including coral reefs and seagrass meadows.—
Dillon Amaya,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
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From stunting and weakening plant growth to delaying flower production, these 1/10th-inch-long pests can wreak havoc.—
Abby Monteil,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Noun
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If your title feels vague, create a one‑line summary and use it consistently in messages so your contributions land without confusion.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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State election officials and county administrators have warned that the conflicting instructions could create confusion for local election offices and potentially invite litigation if the issue is not resolved before voting begins.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Politicians and pundits and former residents have battered New York City in recent years, branding our town as a symbol of a country gone to hell.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
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Sunday will be one hell of a day for America, that is for sure.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messiness. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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