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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
In high-traffic areas, the effects only worsen, turning a room meant to feel polished into one that looks tired and sloppy.
—
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Chelsea occasionally bypassed the press with Gusto, a right-back playing in midfield, and captain Reece James interchanging positions, but were not helped by sloppy moments.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Or that fixing problems like their sloppy first-quarter defense and stagnant run game — at least for one week — gives reason to believe their floor and ceiling will rise higher as the season progresses.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Too much of the banter is sloppy and too many of her mistakes are avoidable.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Chelsea occasionally bypassed the press with Gusto, a right-back playing in midfield, and captain Reece James interchanging positions, but were not helped by sloppy moments.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Or that fixing problems like their sloppy first-quarter defense and stagnant run game — at least for one week — gives reason to believe their floor and ceiling will rise higher as the season progresses.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Too much of the banter is sloppy and too many of her mistakes are avoidable.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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The podcast episode premiered amid Angelia Solomon's ongoing court battle more than a decade after her and Aaron Solomon's bitter and messy divorce in 2013.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
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Moisten the disposable sheets with water and a gentle cleaning agent like Dawn dish soap, then use the DIY wet wipes to clean countertops or messy faces.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Add to this Senne Lammens, who has brought calm to a previously chaotic goalkeeping situation, and INEOS’ bold approach to the summer window is starting to pay off.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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New York City officials condemn federal immigration raid A chaotic immigration raid in New York City on Tuesday reflected the US government’s widening deportation campaign, drawing outrage from local officials and residents.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, the New Moon squares Jupiter in Cancer, expanding our sentimental and passionate horizons.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
20 Oct. 2025
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As Crane hints, Brooke’s take on the eighteenth-century sentimental romance would be a controversial selection as Canada’s first.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
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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Those willing to put in the time (and those who aren't easily wigged out) may find to their confused delight that Tippett is the maddest creative god of them all.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Oscar-winning filmmaker makes the viewer as torn and confused and at wit’s end as the people trying to avoid doomsday.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Cabana’s greasy floor was sticky under her bare feet.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The fruit flies are attracted to them and get stuck on the sticky glue.—
Emma Ashe,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Over time, all that bouncing around with wet clothing causes dryer balls to become matted, felted, and stiff.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
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The length will also keep most of your outfit dry, ideally for particularly wet days.—
Erin Cavoto,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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