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
The reality is often messier and more iterative than any neat framework can capture.
—
Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Their close friendship has been documented throughout the season, with Amanda playing a central role in encouraging West and her close friend Ciara Miller to make amends following years of tension due to their messy breakup.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
That divide may look tidy on paper, but real life is messier.
—Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Dipping the cakes in glaze is messy business.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for messy
Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Their close friendship has been documented throughout the season, with Amanda playing a central role in encouraging West and her close friend Ciara Miller to make amends following years of tension due to their messy breakup.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
That divide may look tidy on paper, but real life is messier.
—Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Dipping the cakes in glaze is messy business.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
-
The chaotic family life was cited when Cary Stayner pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the tourists’ murders; he was found mentally fit to stand trial.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
The start turned chaotic in seconds when Verstappen, who along with Leclerc almost immediately passed Antonelli, proceeded to completely pirouette, recovering but quickly finding himself in ninth.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the Pistons were sloppy with the ball and careless overall in a 94-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night, falling behind 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Wolves started out sloppy with nine first-quarter turnovers and finished with 25.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Working with these doors on a cluttered workbench is like sitting in the middle seat of an airplane and fighting for the armrest with the passengers on either side.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
-
With cathedral ceilings, select pieces of midcentury-modern furniture, and exposed wood beams, the interiors are comfortable without being cluttered.—
Sarah Wood González,
Architectural Digest,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Charmed at first, Nella soon becomes confused and suspicious of her alleged ally as their approaches to racial bias and diversity begin to sharply diverge and the story, told through a past and present timeline, unravels with unexpected twists.—
Laura Zigman,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen showed the new signage in a Facebook post that’s garnered more than 14,000 likes and comments combined — responses spanning from supportive and celebratory, to confused and inflammatory.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
-
Tidy Food Storage Containers The same can be said for the food storage containers that can easily become a jumbled mess in the cabinet.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
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The 49ers’ defensive depth chart isn’t as jumbled after this draft as last year’s, and more impact players could arrive before training camp or the season opener in Australia.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Then downstairs in the filthy little basement, where there's the stone butt carved into the wall, people knew exactly what to do.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
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Strong supports the closing of Men’s Central Jail and said the department needed to look at medical care, filthy living conditions and a lack of healthy food and clean water.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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