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
Despite the messiness of the in-person, one-to-one, low tech services, the EDD Job Service counselors and staff of the time often talk with fondness about the culture that grew out of these local services.
—
Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 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
But the image of the jovial professor, divorced from the messiness of the politics of the day after his own resignation in a COVID-era scandal in 2022, didn’t quite square with the reality of his time in Miami.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
But that messiness is how students learn.
—Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
This realization initiated a generations-long mission in humanity to, like plants, disintermediate ourselves from the messiness and immorality of food chains, farming, and carnivorism.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Just like trying to drive around while spreading ketchup on a carton of French fries, the brand’s origin story is not without its messiness.
—Amanda Hancock, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The literal messiness of the lotion, combined with the chaos of the interaction between Black and McCarthy’s characters, took me back to the nostalgia of watching SNL in high school.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2026
Despite the messiness of her subject matter, Parks can sound very studied.
—Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 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
But the image of the jovial professor, divorced from the messiness of the politics of the day after his own resignation in a COVID-era scandal in 2022, didn’t quite square with the reality of his time in Miami.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
But that messiness is how students learn.
—Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
This realization initiated a generations-long mission in humanity to, like plants, disintermediate ourselves from the messiness and immorality of food chains, farming, and carnivorism.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Just like trying to drive around while spreading ketchup on a carton of French fries, the brand’s origin story is not without its messiness.
—Amanda Hancock, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The literal messiness of the lotion, combined with the chaos of the interaction between Black and McCarthy’s characters, took me back to the nostalgia of watching SNL in high school.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2026
Despite the messiness of her subject matter, Parks can sound very studied.
—Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messiness
Noun
-
In a memo released Thursday morning, Levine Cava did not mention the fuel depot mess in announcing the immediate departures of Morales and Webb.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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Platner is navigating this mess with a notably shallow reserve of goodwill, even among his backers on the left.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
At least 45 people were arrested in Paris on Saturday after celebrations over Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory descended into chaos, with fires set, businesses vandalized and crowds clashing with police.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
It’s also given Peffer and Zack Tatar time to work on updating a new display for sponsor Broadway San Jose, which will replicate San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts with a revolving stage that shows a musical theater performance on one side and backstage chaos on the other.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The Hornets thrived all season by creating havoc on the base paths.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Federico Chiesa Even though injuries have played havoc with Liverpool’s attack, Chiesa has been unable to secure a more meaningful role.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The vast range of difficulty and rigor in academic assessment adds confusion for both learners and employers.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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The Holii Travel Pill Organizer is compact enough to fit in a car compartment or backpack, and securely separates daily doses of medications in order to avoid any confusion on busy travel days.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the Kings are back in basketball hell after tying for the fourth-worst record in the NBA despite having the league’s eighth-highest payroll.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
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The Avici hell is the lowest and most terrible level of the eight hot hells of Buddhism, where those who’ve committed serious crimes (like parricide) must face constant suffering.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messiness. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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