1
as in messy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
dumped the papers in a sloppy pile on the desk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a cinematic romance with a sloppy musical score that will have audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
His dribble can look polished one possession, sloppy the next.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Since this fit naturally leans casual, there's a fine line between your oversized shirt outfit looking intentional versus downright sloppy.
—Sri Rain Stewart, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Absent were any sloppy moments or off-the-cuff interactions.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
And devoured them again Saturday night at Viejas Arena in a sloppy 71-52 win that kept the Aztecs tied with Utah State atop the Mountain West at 5-0.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Since this fit naturally leans casual, there's a fine line between your oversized shirt outfit looking intentional versus downright sloppy.
—Sri Rain Stewart, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Absent were any sloppy moments or off-the-cuff interactions.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
And devoured them again Saturday night at Viejas Arena in a sloppy 71-52 win that kept the Aztecs tied with Utah State atop the Mountain West at 5-0.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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But for the 2026 reboot, the two couples are poly and everything is way messier than the original.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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Even the world’s top leaders have shared that between messy return-to-office politics, scrambling to keep up with AI, and an unforgiving schedule, work gets too daunting for them, too, sometimes.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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By contrast, fringe subcultures operate in a more cryptic and chaotic manner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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Much of the movie's story revolves around Marty's chaotic efforts to make enough money to travel to Japan and compete in a tournament there.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Her new album, La Dame, unites slower and more sentimental shatta ballads with the thumping dancefloor heaters that first drew me to her music.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
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In December 2025, Bündchen reflected on how her baby boy's birth changed her life in a sentimental Instagram post.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
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The other near certainty in Lead Actor should be Gary Oldman, who anchors Slow Horses with a slovenly charisma that is, against all odds, deeply watchable.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Goedert scored his second touchdown on a fourth-and-2 leaving a confused Malik Mustapha behind him in the left flat.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Yet many of its citizens feel both whiplashed and confused.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Cramer said strong signs from forwarding holiday spending suggest inflation may remain sticky, setting up tension between a president eager to contain prices and consumers who have borne the brunt of inflation.—
Luke Fountain,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
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To keep a tension rod from slipping, look for rods that have rubber stoppers on the ends or that come with sticky wall brackets.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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So many downtown buildings and parking areas are filthy, smelling of urine and unmaintained.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Merry Christmas ya filthy animals.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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While its calf-skimming height is great for tucking in leggings and pants (therefore keeping hems dry in wet winter weather), its slim silhouette also fits seamlessly under wide-leg jeans and relaxed pants.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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