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 a pointed collar and button cuffs, flannels look more put-together than sloppy sweatshirts, all while staying comfy and relaxed.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adverb
  • These gorgeous plants are much more impressive when kept vertical instead of hanging sloppily all over the garden.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026
  • 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
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 ferocious character also features shaggy black-and-orange hair that matches his tattered pants, and a large necklace adorned with teeth.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • In February, the actress was spotted in Los Angeles with film producer Josh Lieberman sporting a short, shaggy haircut that enhanced her natural texture.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
Definition of shaggy
Adjective
  • Milkweed tends to thrive in transitional areas, such as fallow fields, unkempt lawns, and the edges of highways.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • 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
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
  • Each baby wore a collar with a chain and had a messy bed of straw.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The way the film gets to that epic crossover moment is a little messy — Peter’s intentions of trying to rehabilitate invading villains like Doc Ock (Alfred Molina) and the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) are noble but sadly naïve in a frustrating way.
    — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of slovenly for Spanish Speakers

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