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
Relevance
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 sets had their ups and downs: some of the improvisations were gorgeous, but the more composed elements felt messy.
—
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But as stocks continued to sell off, things got messy.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
The ethical lines are blurry and the decision-making is messy, but totally thrilling.
—Annabel Gutterman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
When eating crawfish, don't fret about getting messy.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But as stocks continued to sell off, things got messy.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
The ethical lines are blurry and the decision-making is messy, but totally thrilling.
—Annabel Gutterman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
When eating crawfish, don't fret about getting messy.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
-
Monday's event was the latest congressional town hall to get chaotic.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2025
-
As a governance matter, some investors complained that the pivots are too chaotic.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Trump administration has been accused of being sloppy in selecting its targets for arrest and deportation, with critics accusing them of relying on tattoo symbols and clothing to make their allegations of gang affiliation.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Given publicly available information and pages of corrections Tyler provided to the reporters, the editorial board’s commentary is at best sloppy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If readers are confused, consider yet again that Instagram could claim all of 30 million users when its acquisition was announced.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Those who lost their Medicaid health care reported being unaware or confused about how to report work hours.—
Phil Galewitz,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Aurangzeb imprisoned his ailing father in 1658 and defeated his brother the year after, before forcibly parading him in chains on a filthy elephant on the streets of Delhi.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The network has ordered Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service, which will see the celebrity chef go undercover to rescue America’s filthiest restaurants.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share