as in disturbances
a state of noisy, confused activity
there was such a to-do when the mice got loose from the science room that I thought the principal was going to close the school
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Recent Examples of to-dos
The first few weeks in a new home are exciting, overwhelming and full of important to-dos that can easily get lost in the shuffle of boxes and bubble wrap.
—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
So much so that tacking on any extra to-dos might feel impossible.
—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
The most common uses reported were answering etiquette questions, managing timelines and to-dos, writing wedding website copy, and organizing budgets.
—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
KPIs, BMIs, OKRs, credit scores, savings rates, social media likes, screen time, steps walked, hours worked, hours slept, to-dos done, to-dos still to do, books read, practice hours, blood pressure readings, calories consumed, macronutrient ratios, the list just keeps going.
—
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Owning a home comes with a list of to-dos, including exterior maintenance.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
There are likely a million different to-dos running through your mind, from researching neighborhoods and clearing out your basement to getting preapproved for a mortgage and finding a realtor to work with.
—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
19 Jan. 2026
For many people, carving out time to slow down can feel like another obligation in a schedule filled with to-dos.
—
Cheyanne Mumphrey,
Fortune,
17 Jan. 2026
If a household deep-clean is on your list of 2026 to-dos, then a quality vacuum cleaner is a must.
—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
So much so that tacking on any extra to-dos might feel impossible.
—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
The most common uses reported were answering etiquette questions, managing timelines and to-dos, writing wedding website copy, and organizing budgets.
—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
KPIs, BMIs, OKRs, credit scores, savings rates, social media likes, screen time, steps walked, hours worked, hours slept, to-dos done, to-dos still to do, books read, practice hours, blood pressure readings, calories consumed, macronutrient ratios, the list just keeps going.
—
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Owning a home comes with a list of to-dos, including exterior maintenance.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
There are likely a million different to-dos running through your mind, from researching neighborhoods and clearing out your basement to getting preapproved for a mortgage and finding a realtor to work with.
—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
19 Jan. 2026
For many people, carving out time to slow down can feel like another obligation in a schedule filled with to-dos.
—
Cheyanne Mumphrey,
Fortune,
17 Jan. 2026
If a household deep-clean is on your list of 2026 to-dos, then a quality vacuum cleaner is a must.
—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for to-dos
Noun
-
While Earth's storms can last hours or days, these cosmic disturbances can unfold over millions of years and span thousands of light-years.
-
Until then, scientists generally associated major space-weather disturbances with periods of intense solar and geomagnetic activity.
Noun
-
Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.
Noun
-
About two couples, connected and dependent on one another, raising their kids alongside each other, facing the same turmoils, the same existential questions.
-
Mayer and Strong offer a broad pop-history lesson, in which the same tensions and turmoils churn on and on in their terrible cycle throughout the decades; the only thing that’s changed are the aesthetics.
Noun
-
Refrigerated pie crust helps this pie come together with just a few stirs of the whisk.
Noun
-
Tinky Winky, the purple Teletubby who was ensnared in controversy in 1999 when televangelist Jerry Falwell accused it of being gay (and yet rumors still linger on…), led moves with Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po all joining in on the fun.
-
The Orange Walk put on by devotees of the Netherlands national team — and more than a few locals joining in for fun — was a party from start to finish, and everyone was involved.
Noun
-
After returning from the front rows of Miami Swim Week, The MD Effect founder Matt Dillon says this season's biggest shift is swimwear designed to move effortlessly from beach to bar.
-
Even when words had a short /u/ vowel, spellings like wulf, wud and wunder would have been too confusing in the era of manuscript writing, what with its rows of upright quill strokes.
Noun
-
The humming or reversing noises are universal, though the sounds used may vary depending on the manufacturer.
-
And each has its own distinct sound effects, engine and brake noises that match their real cars.
Noun
-
The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year.
-
Farther south, including Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the severe threat may last later Tuesday night as storms move southeast across the plains.
Cite this Entry
“To-dos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/to-dos. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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