as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the office is still topsy-turvy even though we moved in months ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in haphazard
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of topsy-turvy
Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
The absurdity of his vision matches our topsy-turvy reality.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Connecticut managed to finish the game on a 22-10 run, shocking Duke after a topsy-turvy final few minutes.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Adjective
While the plot ebbs and flows, the central desire to know more, to reach further than anyone has before you, is very relatable—Kuang is a master at work building a topsy-turvy chessboard for readers to play with.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
The absurdity of his vision matches our topsy-turvy reality.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Adverb
When the world is topsy-turvy, the theatergoing public seeks explanations.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Connecticut managed to finish the game on a 22-10 run, shocking Duke after a topsy-turvy final few minutes.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
Adjective
-
His earliest mature paintings, often filled with snarling creatures arranged in chaotic formations, started to include monochromatic backgrounds that became a staple in his art.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
-
Alongside the duo’s elevation, the raging crowds for Yeat’s live shows became both electric and chaotic.—
Miki Hellerbach,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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But even chips are absent from the formal agenda because the politics are too messy.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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Just to make things even messier and more over-plotted, Sylvie notices a light on for five days straight in an upper-floor apartment, reporting to the cops her concern that the old man who lives there might have died.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adverb
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In a May 5 Facebook post, officials in Saône-et-Loire, France, shared a video of a deer haphazardly running in circles around a field in what appeared to be an intoxicated state.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Instead of haphazardly brushing it into your palm or reaching for a dripping sponge, try a handheld vacuum for a far more efficient solution.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The new districts and their boundaries have even confused candidates and their campaign staffers.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
-
Marna, seemingly confused, asked if the message was meant for her.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
After years of being mummified in scaffolding on Oxford Street, the former West Olympia Theatre has reemerged as 25hours Hotel The Olympia, a riotously fun, high-voltage new entrant to Sydney’s hotel scene.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
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Details of who found them and where were also vague, with one popular story featuring a hungry cow riotously disturbing the earth to reveal a ceramic container.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adverb
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Too much for a pocket, these small yet crucial items usually float aimlessly in a big bag.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
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Windshield after windshield smashed in Linden Surveillance video from a Linden apartment complex shows a person in the early hours of Monday morning drive up, get out of his vehicle and throw bricks through the windshields of parked cars, chucking them aimlessly from multiple launch points.—
Allen Devlin,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These Amazon finds are made for petite travelers who want to stay comfortable without defaulting to sloppy sweats.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
-
Spurs seemed to run out of energy and their passing became sloppy.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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