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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The next moments in the Dodgers’ 6-5 walk-off win Friday were chaos.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Renard's sudden, high-pressure arrival could, however, inject chaos and potentially inspire an unexpected performance from a team with nothing left to lose.—
Beau Dure,
Forbes.com,
20 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
-
To wreak havoc on an unknown person.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
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He was also caught on surveillance video allegedly on the attack outside a pizzeria with a weapon, the outlet reported, adding that social media videos show havoc in other areas of the city as well.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
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Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson said former President Joe Biden’s moment of confusion at the Obama Presidential Center’s dedication ceremony doesn’t paint a good image for Democrats.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
20 June 2026
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Some confusion remained Saturday as to the terms of the settlement with the state, how close the parties are to that settlement and how much of the city’s street art would be removed under that agreement.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
20 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 24 Jun. 2026.
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