1
as in messy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
In 1982, Demond signed on to star as sloppy roommate Oscar Madison in the TV series The New Odd Couple.
—
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
As the most populous and sprawling county in the state, Fulton has often been tagged by Republicans as the bad egg among elections offices for its past record of long lines, late returns and sloppy bookkeeping.
—Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Officials say the scammers' schemes range from the savvy to the sloppy -- and all are brazen.
—ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
The lone Democrat on the board and the chair have repeatedly objected, arguing the case is closed and citing multiple reviews that have found that while the county's 2020 elections were sloppy and poorly managed there was no evidence of intentional wrongdoing.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
As the most populous and sprawling county in the state, Fulton has often been tagged by Republicans as the bad egg among elections offices for its past record of long lines, late returns and sloppy bookkeeping.
—Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Officials say the scammers' schemes range from the savvy to the sloppy -- and all are brazen.
—ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
The lone Democrat on the board and the chair have repeatedly objected, arguing the case is closed and citing multiple reviews that have found that while the county's 2020 elections were sloppy and poorly managed there was no evidence of intentional wrongdoing.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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In this case, that ball happens to be the complex that serves as the symbolic seat of the nation’s vibrant, messy, questioning, deeply political and hugely alive arts and culture scene.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Scuffs and chips will show up quickly, requiring frequent touch-ups that can end up creating messy layers.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While navigating Westport by car or on foot is chaotic right now, the goal is to prevent destruction in the future.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
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Lazy Susans and magnetic spice racks turn chaotic fridges and spice shelves into functional spaces.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The brand and its Massachusetts origins are inextricable—the matte white bags are sentimental fixtures of the state and New England at large.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Feb. 2026
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For an extra sentimental touch, try making pieces for each other and swapping them once they’re finished.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 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
-
Archaeologists were completely confused.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
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Your children do not need parents who are confused about the status of their relationship.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Add up to 1/4 cup remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed, if dough is too sticky.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
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Over the last few years, a mix of economic hurdles, like rapidly rising prices caused by sticky inflation, has helped to drive borrowers' reliance on credit cards upward and high average credit card rates have further propelled cardholders' balances upward.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Over the last several seasons of the Movies Fantasy League, the one thing that’s been more consistent than the movies, the awards, or Timmy Chalamet scoring a hit in December has been all you players coming up with some of the most clever, goofy, dumb, sometimes filthy names for your teams.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
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Traditional mops move filthy water, conventional vacuums push fine dust back into the air and cleaning cloths need to be rinsed to maintain hygienic conditions.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Just look at Serena Williams’ wet waves and Kerry Washington’s braids.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Jan. 2026
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Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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