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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messiness
Noun
-
Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
-
Three people are dead and she, a completely innocent party in this whole mess, is left holding the check.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The TikTok frenzy has drawn comparisons to the 2025 horror movie Weapons, in which children go missing, sparking widespread panic and violent chaos.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Key matchups continue flashing by in the chaos, including Bridges — flying through the air with wings resembling a hornet — appearing to take down the Golden Gate Bridge to show their game against the Warriors, and then extinguishes the fire to resemble their March 6 matchup against the Miami Heat.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
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Though the Ducks created havoc in the Vegas crease with 30 seconds left and surrendered a chance at the buzzer, the third period ended scoreless to extend Saturday’s showdown.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Nov. 2025
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Astronomers have discovered that an aging red giant star has a closely orbiting stellar companion, which could be causing havoc to the star's processes.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
18 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Sunday will be one hell of a day for America, that is for sure.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Given the eye-popping ratings, not a single compensatory makegood unit has been put into service to placate advertisers, who frankly are getting a hell of a bargain.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messiness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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