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
Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
But the architect behind this topsy-turvy story arc is decidedly Jackson, who was left to his own devices to flesh out Sue’s complications.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 4 Feb. 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
The performance marked the latest move in topsy-turvy markets -- and that rollercoaster may very well continue, some analysts told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026
But the architect behind this topsy-turvy story arc is decidedly Jackson, who was left to his own devices to flesh out Sue’s complications.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
Adjective
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The fan disappointment was echoed in the community dedicated to Barbie on Reddit, where many called out the organizers for such a chaotic event.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
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The footage captures a chaotic moment many pet owners recognize instantly—when curiosity tips over into trouble.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond the hardware, it’s packed with AI features like Circle to Search for instant lookups and Handwriting Assist to tidy up your messy notes, all backed by a 20-hour battery that lasts well beyond the standard workday.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Things with Turner got messy quickly with custody issues rearing their head, but seemed to have settled down now.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Opposite the pump lies a dead body, haphazardly covered with half a sheet of cardboard and encircled by black flies.—
Elena Clavarino,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
-
After losing half of the original roster to trades and a few more bodies to injury, this haphazardly assembled roster is not comfortable playing together.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When the director approached Hanks directly, the actor was confused.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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After catching confused glances all through Venice, traversing neighborhoods and winding along Abbott Kinney, the group landed at the home of Matt Ricotta.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
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Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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For six of the last seven years, this franchise has been wandering aimlessly through the wilderness of baseball purgatory.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Alternatively, spend afternoons aimlessly wandering neighborhoods like Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, where small wine bars known as bacari serve local vino and cicchetti (think Venetian tapas like olives, crostini, and arancini).—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This was a better defensive effort for the Stars than their sloppy defeat Tuesday night at home against New Jersey.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Lakers relied on another part-time G League contributor to carry them through a sloppy fourth quarter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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