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
Some cultural artifacts exist in the messy, ambiguous space between.
—
Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2025
The actress struggles to find her footing in the messy genre mashup, speaking with an exaggerated stammer and failing to light sparks with Paul Walter Hauser as the infatuated Lefty.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
The first trailer for season six also includes all the wigs, reads, and Mary that a messy viewer could require.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
But exactly the opposite needs to happen: the patient needs to enact her struggle in the room, to be messy, irrational, resentful, out of control.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2025
The actress struggles to find her footing in the messy genre mashup, speaking with an exaggerated stammer and failing to light sparks with Paul Walter Hauser as the infatuated Lefty.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
The first trailer for season six also includes all the wigs, reads, and Mary that a messy viewer could require.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
But exactly the opposite needs to happen: the patient needs to enact her struggle in the room, to be messy, irrational, resentful, out of control.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
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That's according to a TikTok Godwin posted from the somewhat chaotic marg-making experience.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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His meetings are chaotic and keeps insulting the staff ...—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The turmoil dates back to a somewhat sloppy performance at a charity show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
4 Aug. 2025
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Learning how to practice Despite the steady energy throughout camp, Saturday’s session had its share of sloppy moments.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As Covid-19 transmission ramps up in the US, many Americans are confused about the Trump administration’s latest policies concerning access to vaccines.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
4 Aug. 2025
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In the comments on her Instagram, fans and friends seemed confused as to whether Haddish actually welcomed a baby or not.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Williams was downright filthy from May 7 through the end of June, posting a 1.45 ERA.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
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The kitten was in a sad condition: overheated, wounded, filthy, and covered in fleas and feces.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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