messy

adjective

ˈme-sē How to pronounce messy (audio)
Definition of messynext
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 messy Madonna kept winning awards all night, including Artist of the Year, then giving gloriously chaotic and freewheeling and messy speeches. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 Rather, the issue is a combination of shadowing (physically blocking radar signal paths), clutter, multipath reflections, and moving turbine blades that makes the radar picture messy. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026 So far, the adoption of AI in production workflows have been stalled due to legal constraints around ownership, among other things involving messy copyright questions. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026 The button-up is a work-to-weekend staple; the jeans are a total hem-saver in messy weather; and the boots are the simplest way to keep my feet warm and dry. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
  1. chaotic
  2. sloppy
  3. cluttered
  4. confused
  5. littered
  6. jumbled
  7. filthy
Adjective
  • But the image that stays with me is of a meeting with Olga, climbing the winding stairs of our little building for a somewhat chaotic coffee in the festival’s office.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Explore See latest videos, charts and news Turnstile is the first hardcore band to appear on SNL since Fear’s famously chaotic performance back in 1981.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • The Mets allowed four earned runs in an exceptionally sloppy third inning, losing a 3-2 lead.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But that response, or leadership — a trait teammates and coaches see far more from Herbert than the public — is one of several reasons why the Chargers are supporting their quarterback despite the offense’s sloppy start to the season.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • The entrance and exits of Prambanan are also cluttered with vendors selling souvenirs and cold drinks — offering a good opportunity to pick up a bottle of water.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Limit items on surfaces and use trays to avoid a cluttered look.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cluttered
Adjective
  • But one of them, perhaps too slow, or too confused, lingered a second longer, and the claw opened and snapped shut.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But people on the streets of Dorohusk seemed more confused about their options in case of a real attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of confused
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
Definition of littered
Adjective
  • Entering the season, two quarterbacks sit in the top tier, followed by a drop-off to the second and third tiers — both of which are crowded and jumbled.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Imagine a termite carving a path like a jumbled ball of string through a tree trunk, instead of an axe cleaving a single vector.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of jumbled
Adjective
  • Raman has promised to speed up housing construction, bring back entertainment industry jobs and improve services in a city known for filthy streets, gridlock and an unresponsive City Hall.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Jurors heard testimony from three of Alsheikh’s victims who said they were packed into small, filthy, cold, wet cells that were infested with insects and other vermin.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of filthy

Browse Nearby Words

mess (with)
messy
met
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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