MUSS Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

muss 1 of 2

noun

ˈməs

Definition of muss

as in mess

a state in which everything is out of order careful planning had eliminated most of the muss that usually accompanies a move to a new house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

muss

2 of 2

verb

as in to disrupt

to undo the proper order or arrangement of the wind mussed up my hair

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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 muss

Noun

Nineteen even-strength saves, five power-play saves, no muss, no fuss. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026 Related Articles Indulging in books and nooks No muss, no fuss houseplants? — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

Verb

The Meta boss appeared in a dark suit and gray tie, his signature chestnut curls slightly mussed, darting occasional nervous looks at the jury and the 20-year-old plaintiff, who sat in the courtroom gallery. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026 Malleable and with a matte finish, when worked through the hair, this white paste keeps flyaways at bay, musses up the ends of short cuts, and sculpts amazing second-day texture. — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muss

Noun

Stormwater can also wash away gravel and mulch, leaving you with a mess to clean up after every rain.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
Swap a mess of tiny tea candles for a larger scented candle styled on a tray with a pair of decorative matches.

— Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 18 July 2026

Definition of mess

Verb

The escalating standoff comes as the fragile truce reached last month has fractured, once again disrupting energy flows through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles around 20% of the world's oil traffic.

— Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Yanbu has become even more important during the war, serving as Saudi Arabia’s main crude export outlet as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

In Harrenhal, Aemond is plagued by nightmares of his (not) dead brother dragging him to hell.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 July 2026
After being a key to the victory of the Trojan War, Greek hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) goes to hell and back trying to get home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) and son (Tom Holland) in Nolan's brutal yet introspective adaptation of Homer's epic poem.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of hell

Verb

Plus, Bluetooth headphone pairing lets students watch TV late at night without disturbing roommates.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026
Environmental groups fear that breeding grounds could be disturbed by a variety of things including vehicle traffic and unchecked development.

— Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of disturb

Noun

Hundreds of homes and businesses in Queens were without power Sunday after a sudden storm caused havoc across the city a day earlier, flooding major highways and leaving motorists stranded.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Bernthal’s biggest scenes are flashbacks to the Trojan War, as Menelaus and his army wreak bloody havoc on Troy that haunts Odysseus for many years after.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of havoc

Verb

While the downtown’s worth a visit on its own, most visitors shuffle in for a visit to Singing Beach, a stretch of fine sand just 10 minutes on foot from the train station.

— Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
Pre-shot routines such as Patrick Cantlay’s foot-shuffling and Brian Harman’s waggles have driven golf fans up a wall.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of shuffle

Verb

The Blazers say a handshake agreement with Mayor Keith Wilson, the city and the county was made in March, and are confused why there has been a shift.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
The figure who experiences every prompt to begin the process as a threat rather than a relief has confused the cause with the self.

— Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Definition of confuse

Browse Nearby Words

muskrat

muss

mussed

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“Muss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muss. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of muss

noun

verb

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