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
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Such has been the Brooks experience this season: a topsy-turvy display of deserved confidence for the NBA’s biggest surprise squad.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 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
In this topsy-turvy world, Erdoğan was the revolutionary, and the representatives of leftist institutions and unions were the rotten elites.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Such has been the Brooks experience this season: a topsy-turvy display of deserved confidence for the NBA’s biggest surprise squad.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
Adjective
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Buyers who understand neighborhood-level competition, secure financing early and structure offers carefully are best positioned to succeed in a market that remains competitive — but no longer chaotic.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Omar Casillas was running a half marathon, about to cross the finish line when things became chaotic.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
How does Carolyn’s hair actually look better a little messy?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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Saturday is expected to be the nicest day of the week, with mostly sunny skies and a high around 51, but Sunday could be messy.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Created from imagery of the actual towers captured via drone, the sculpture is over 8 feet tall and amazingly accurate, recording the details of each individual work of graffiti, the textures of concrete and iron, and the construction debris left haphazardly about the site.—
Sharon Mizota,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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The documents were similar to the classified documents that Biden was also not supposed to have but were stored for years haphazardly in boxes in the garage of his Wilmington home beside his vintage 1967 Chevy Stingray.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Shoppers were confused and frustrated after finding out the shopping center was closed on a normally busy Friday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Would fans be confused if the persistent graphic displayed a call different than the one offered in real time by the still-very-much-there ump?—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
21 Feb. 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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If cells were any less crowded, molecules would wander aimlessly and only rarely encounter their partner (or partners) in the chemical reactions that power life — metabolism, protein synthesis, growth, division, and more.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
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Spurs never seemed capable of consistently creating high-quality chances from open play under Frank and instead would aimlessly recycle the ball between defence and midfield.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a women’s semifinal, Slovak Marianna Jagercikova got snow stuck in the bindings of her ski boots, causing a sloppy transition, which ended her chances of advancing to the final.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Drop shoulders and a high-low hemline keep the top relaxed, while the classic wide-leg pants offer pajama-like comfort without looking sloppy.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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