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

Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Continue reading â¦ WAKE-UP CALL â France's riot chaos fuels warning that mass immigration failures could haunt another country.

— , FOXNews.com, 22 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

Lignel began conversations with the gallery in 2008 as a recession wrought havoc upon the New York art market and the global economy.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Lucas Calderon, owner of Holy Crab, a Coral Gables seafood business that specializes in stone crab home delivery, recalls the havoc Milton wrought on the industry.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of havoc

Noun

Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
The confusion unfolded as a steady stream of women’s half-marathon runners crossed the finish line.

— Vivian Yao, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

The band hovers in a razor-thin lacuna between heaven and hell, between ascension and purgatory, on the verge of going either way.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Searching for Wendy in the depths of the Sephora store, Stan watches his surroundings shift from slightly off, to off, to get-me-the-hell-out-of-here off.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of messiness

noun

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