MESSINESS Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

messiness

noun

Definition of messiness

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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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.

Recent Examples of messiness The fight sequences have an engaging messiness, the characters often fumbling around rather than delivering expert moves. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 One imagines Dahl, whose sometimes monstrous characters captured childhood in all its messiness, would be relieved. — Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 This collection does not beautify quotidian messiness but shows us how love celebrates our imperfections. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 We were immediately drawn to Rick Donald’s sharp, heartfelt comedy about the messiness of family and being forced to grow up. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 The result was an album that turned the intimate messiness of Winehouse’s life into something both musically timeless and culturally seismic. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 Those who are furthest away from owning the messiness of implementation, are more likely to feel the matter is settled. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 Crowley suggests the messiness of the primary is because the President is messing with Democrats’ heads. — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for messiness

Noun

In the city of Hurricane in far southwestern Utah, a shipping container drifting down a street gave way Friday to a mess of mud and debris to be cleaned up as people who had evacuated earlier in the week returned home.

— MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
General manager Les Snead is also culpable for this mess of a season, trading for Myles Garrett, who has done absolutely zero for this team.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of mess

Noun

The chaos was a fitting end to one of the ugliest elections in recent years, said Paulo César de Oliveira in Correio da Manhã (Rio de Janeiro).

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 31 Oct. 2026
The judge also raised concerns the effort would disenfranchise eligible voters and create election chaos.

— Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of chaos

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
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.

— Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of jumble

Noun

Adding to the confusion, a young female pilot has since been reported to have perished in the crash.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
Mantovani, a Miami Beach resident who immigrated to the United States from Argentina as a child, said confusion about the electoral system and doubts about the impact of a single vote kept him from participating in previous elections.

— Sabrina Lozano, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

His second, a collaboration with the Times puzzle editor Tracy Bennett, was a hefty Sunday puzzle rife with just-for-the-hell-of-it wordplay.

— New York Times, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2026
But hell hath no fury like a Latino voter scorned and all this intimidation, in addition to a lack of follow-through on promises by Republican lawmakers since 2024, might have a boomerang effect by agitating Latinos into action.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of hell

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messiness

messing

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“Messiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messiness. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of messiness

noun

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