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
  • Golden State forced six Washington turnovers, but had six turnovers of its own in what was a sloppy first half.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Minor wrinkles and soft creases look intentional rather than sloppy.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adverb
  • Off the ensuing kick, the Mexicans sloppily turned the ball over after Anthony Gordon made a strong challenge to knock the ball loose.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • After one match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2021, when City had won 1-0 but had played sloppily in the final minutes, Guardiola bellowed at the subs and youth teamers who had not actually contributed.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 May 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
  • Atop the Go board there lies a compass whose dials swing chaotically.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
  • And flying chaotically around the room was a small bat.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of chaotically
Adjective
  • The shaggy golden Saint Berdoodle was killed on June 13 by an LAPD officer while bounding out of Marseille’s Canoga Park apartment.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Yeoh sported a shaggy platinum crop with dark roots peeping through, pairing her transformation with one of the brand’s signature skirt suits.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 July 2026
Definition of shaggy
Adjective
  • Today, some bright spots aside, the Art Deco District’s historic commercial spine is a drab length of vacant and unkempt storefronts, smoke shops, liquor stores, fast-food outlets, cheap T-shirt emporia and other varieties of tourist trap.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • But a jumble of mismatched pillows will create a chaotic and unkempt space.
    — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 18 July 2026
Definition of unkempt
Adjective
  • If the shells are bothering you or making your landscape look untidy, cleanup is relatively easy and may even benefit your garden.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
  • In the living room, a pilot rearranges an untidy study desk.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Definition of untidy
Adjective
  • Rather, a messy conflict oscillating between bouts of strikes and periods of relative calm beckons, while mediators look for new avenues to revive negotiations.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • This is an ideal arrangement for handling bulky or messy supplies for projects, or for letting maintenance personnel into the home to work on the mechanical systems.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 19 July 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of slovenly for Spanish Speakers

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