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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
Like a sloppy writer adding superfluous words, other jacket companies often add doo-dads to their jackets that look good in marketing materials but make no difference in the performance.
—
Jakob Schiller, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
Jockey Cristian Torres completed a daily three-bagger in his fourth stakes victory of the meeting, the first such race this season held on a sloppy track.
—Bob Wisener, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
The sloppy error led to a game-tying 3-pointer from James Harden, and eventually a 119-117 Nuggets loss in the last second — their fourth loss in five games.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The truth will likely be sloppier.
—Justin Worland, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Jakob Schiller, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
Jockey Cristian Torres completed a daily three-bagger in his fourth stakes victory of the meeting, the first such race this season held on a sloppy track.
—Bob Wisener, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
The sloppy error led to a game-tying 3-pointer from James Harden, and eventually a 119-117 Nuggets loss in the last second — their fourth loss in five games.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The truth will likely be sloppier.
—Justin Worland, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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Meanwhile, at the Milan Fashion Week show, the star embraced an edgy aesthetic with a messy low ponytail and smudged black eyeliner with smoky navy eyeshadow.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
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That unfolding intra-family fight is messy, to put it mildly, but one that Democrats are relishing.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Buyers who understand neighborhood-level competition, secure financing early and structure offers carefully are best positioned to succeed in a market that remains competitive — but no longer chaotic.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
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Omar Casillas was running a half marathon, about to cross the finish line when things became chaotic.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Things couldn’t be more sentimental or nostalgic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
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Inclusion, for him, was not sentimental.—
John Hope Bryant,
Time,
25 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
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Shoppers were confused and frustrated after finding out the shopping center was closed on a normally busy Friday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Would fans be confused if the persistent graphic displayed a call different than the one offered in real time by the still-very-much-there ump?—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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If, in the following days, increasing moisture and a sticky feel to the atmosphere are accompanied by fog or overcast skies, this can signal the approach of a cold front with a cooler air mass behind it.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
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In 2025, though, gold broke through several barriers, setting new records along the way as investors reacted to sticky inflation, uneven economic data and growing skepticism about how long restrictive monetary policy could stay in place.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Kelli Bryant, 34, was facing three counts each of child abuse related to allegedly forcing her three children, a 15-year-old boy and a 13- and 12-year-old girl, to live in unbearable, filthy conditions in an apartment on Lydia Lane.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Other parts of the ballpark, including the exterior concourse and entrances, were also impacted by the filthy leaks, which stunk to high heaven.—
Gary Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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