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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the wind mussed up my hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muss
Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 18 Jan. 2023
James, Sami, Jesse, Cassidy, and Karla (all from the super alliance of seven) sat out without much muss or fuss.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Nov. 2022
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Last Week Tonight has always been more thorough in its account of the week’s major issues than the nightly network shows, though at least Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel all sounded the Klaxon about Donald Trump while their colleague Jimmy Fallon mussed his hair.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muss
Noun
As promised, the restaurant is a no-fuss, no-muss operation.
—Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 18 Jan. 2023
James, Sami, Jesse, Cassidy, and Karla (all from the super alliance of seven) sat out without much muss or fuss.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Nov. 2022
Verb
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
Last Week Tonight has always been more thorough in its account of the week’s major issues than the nightly network shows, though at least Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel all sounded the Klaxon about Donald Trump while their colleague Jimmy Fallon mussed his hair.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muss
Noun
-
Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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Three people are dead and she, a completely innocent party in this whole mess, is left holding the check.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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And of how Iran’s preparation for this World Cup has been disrupted, this is definitely among the more minor.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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In their letter, the senators cited the approaching El Niño — a periodic Pacific warming that disrupts weather patterns and supercharges marine heat waves — as evidence the cuts are particularly ill timed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Sunday will be one hell of a day for America, that is for sure.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Given the eye-popping ratings, not a single compensatory makegood unit has been put into service to placate advertisers, who frankly are getting a hell of a bargain.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Iranian leadership complained that visas for key staff members were being held up and the tumult was disturbing its preparation for the tournament.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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Sarnoski, intentionally trying to disturb the viewer, takes us to the depths of humanity only to bring us back from the brink.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Though the Ducks created havoc in the Vegas crease with 30 seconds left and surrendered a chance at the buzzer, the third period ended scoreless to extend Saturday’s showdown.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Nov. 2025
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Astronomers have discovered that an aging red giant star has a closely orbiting stellar companion, which could be causing havoc to the star's processes.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
18 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After starting at right tackle, Lomu flipped to the left side as Will Campbell’s top backup when the Patriots shuffled their O-line personnel with Maye still on the field.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
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The state's unique open primary — in which the top two contenders advance to the general election regardless of their party affiliation — was plagued by Democratic in-fighting and scandal that repeatedly shuffled the frontrunners.—
Kyler Alvord,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
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Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bryan was erroneously released when he was confused with another inmate with the same last name during the jail's overnight release process and his identity was not properly verified, according to the sheriff's office.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
20 Aug. 2025
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Children who have experienced traumatic stress may be restless, fidgety, or have trouble paying attention and staying organized, symptoms often confused with ADHD.—
Patricia Fersch,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muss. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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