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 The school faced no further action from the UIL SEC, which applauded Blue Ridge ISD Superintendent Matthew Brown for handling a messy situation to the best of his ability. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2026 Compared with questions of pure logic, the measurements scientists make of our messy universe may better insulate them against the depredations of AI. — Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 12 Nov. 2026 Ex-Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who had a messy split with the team in 2024, harbors no bad blood toward the receiver and spoke up to defend Nabers against Olsen's critique. — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026 The messy business of state formation In Washington, that may not be sufficient. — Yasir Kuoti, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 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
  • Then came the chaotic climate phenomenon, El Niño, that has intensified heavy rain and floods.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • During my uncle’s busy season, a large number of young men and women stayed with us to help, and the house would become as chaotic as a battlefield.
    — Yasushi Inoue, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • With it, blustery and sloppy conditions are expected from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and into coastal parts of the Northeast later in the week.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In one of the ugliest, sloppiest games of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys somehow squeaked out a 27-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to move to 4-5 on the season.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • Anyone who works with multiple monitors knows the pain of having cables cluttered chaotically around their desk.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • From dusty heating vents to cluttered coat closets, these are the spots professional cleaners say deserve your attention now.
    — Brigitt Earley, Martha Stewart, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of cluttered
Adjective
  • The Dolphins’ secondary appeared confused and unprepared for Maye’s throws, which were pinpoint accurate.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The ones who were looked confused but kindly dropped candy into our bags.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 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
  • But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of jumbled
Adjective
  • And the women — exhausted, filthy, scared, and sometimes wounded themselves — rose to it every time.
    — Leah Garrett, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Los Angeles also struggles with an ongoing homelessness crisis — filthy encampments and rows of rusting RVs are a common sight in many neighborhoods.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of filthy

Browse Nearby Words

mess (with)
messy
met
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Cite this Entry

“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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