as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of messy
Democracy has been likened to the process of making sausage, a messy endeavor but one worth the effort.
—
John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
His draft year was a messy one, though.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Recovery has been messy and far from linear.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
This is going to be a messy summer.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for messy
John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
His draft year was a messy one, though.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Recovery has been messy and far from linear.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
This is going to be a messy summer.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
-
This efficient metro connects the whole city, without having to brave the chaotic, crowded streets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as gunfire erupted near the beach.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
His edges going backwards can be a little sloppy, but with some refinement and good coaching, there could be something there.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
The Rays had a chance for more as the Tigers continued their sloppy play.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hemmed in by a cluttered mix and NIMBYish paranoia, this album will test even a loyal fan’s investment in its creator.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2026
-
Cut the Clutter A cluttered, chaotic home is never going to look complete.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
During the initial investigation, authorities determined that the man appeared confused and was experiencing a mental health crisis.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Even current and former DeSantis communications staffers appeared confused online about it.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His fluid camera, observational without being intrusive, expertly delineates the safe space of Layla’s courtyard, shifting registers as things get darker until near the end, when jumbled night reinforces the tense uncertainty.—
Jay Weissberg,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
Chaotic terrain is characterized by fractured, jumbled blocks of rock thought to have formed when underground ice melted and caused the surface above to collapse.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The president had complained about filthy water and a leaking foundation, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
And some of the best evidence of the lovebugs’ comeback came last week at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza on Florida’s Turnpike, where filthy, splattered cars and trucks queued up before the plaza’s automatic windshield washer.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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