slovenly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈslə-vən-lē How to pronounce slovenly (audio)
Definition of slovenlynext
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person for the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to slovenly rockers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slovenly

2 of 2

adverb

ˈslə-vən-lē How to pronounce slovenly (audio)
as in sloppily
in a careless or unfashionable manner an employee who went overboard on dress-down day and was reprimanded for dressing slovenly on the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slovenly
Adjective
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 Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way. — Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Adverb
It’s cropped with puffy sleeves that land at or above the wrist instead of hanging slovenly over your hands. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slovenly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slovenly
  1. sloppy
  2. sloppily
  3. wrinkled
  4. chaotically
  5. shaggy
  6. unkempt
  7. untidy
  8. messy
Adjective
  • With it, blustery and sloppy conditions are expected from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and into coastal parts of the Northeast later in the week.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In one of the ugliest, sloppiest games of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys somehow squeaked out a 27-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to move to 4-5 on the season.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adverb
  • The last episode ended with Heather sloppily approaching Lisa while Lisa’s Ultimate Girls Trip buddies hovered on the sidelines, ready to defend their new friend.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Family members of patients noticed the nurse sloppily taking out IV needles but were afraid to confront her.
    — Alexandra Byrne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloppily
Adjective
  • Participants with wet but non-wrinkled fingers required significantly more force to maintain the same hold; their hands were working harder to do less.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of wrinkled
Adverb
  • As the whole enterprise of college sports teeters chaotically, Close winning was as healthy a thing as could happen.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Over time, the tags fall off or attach chaotically, meaning tags are inconsistent between cells and genes start turning on unpredictably.
    — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of chaotically
Adjective
  • Two shaggy ebony draft horses pulled a vintage sleigh along a powdery path that hugged the shores of frozen Lake Louise.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The actor and producer has swapped the shaggy, caramel-toned lengths of recent months for a razor-sharp, jaw-grazing cut in a cool-toned shade of blonde.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of shaggy
Adjective
  • The drunken Ken spends his time on such things as warbling a karaoke version of a 4 Non Blondes song while an unkempt Ryu is a purveyor of ramen so bad even a stray cat won’t eat it.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Wendy Louis, 40, was arrested Tuesday after deputies conducted a welfare check on his home on Northeast 175th Street and found his children extremely thin and with unkempt, matted hair, the sheriff’s office said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of unkempt
Adjective
  • The cumulative effect can be untidy, but what would be truer to an artist in a moment of flux?
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 11 Nov. 2026
  • At some point, your device will need to be charged, but the one thing that can quickly make a space look untidy is messy cable management.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of untidy
Adjective
  • Quality, innovation, customer value and decision-making are messier, and leaders should be cautious about claiming AI caused an improvement when many factors may have contributed.
    — Subha Barry, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Unlike the real thing, electric fireplaces emit no smoke and leave no messy ashes after use.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of messy

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Cite this Entry

“Slovenly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slovenly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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