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
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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
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The right hand of that 6ft 7ins frame — the one trick everyone in boxing knows about but cannot seem to avoid — cuffed and largely evaded Chisora, who then returned to his feet and launched a retaliation of his own at the end of the eighth, topsy-turvy round.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 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
Top defenseman Jackson LaCombe – more on him in a moment – said that the Ducks’ topsy-turvy 2025-26, which included two seven-game winning streaks but two ice-cold stretches as well, taught them how to adapt.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The right hand of that 6ft 7ins frame — the one trick everyone in boxing knows about but cannot seem to avoid — cuffed and largely evaded Chisora, who then returned to his feet and launched a retaliation of his own at the end of the eighth, topsy-turvy round.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
Adjective
-
His distinct sensibility — by turns theatrical, ironic, chaotic, heartfelt — was native to the Internet.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
-
The media newsletters and trades have written up transcripts of chaotic meetings and tracked Weiss and new 60 Minutes chief Nick Bilton’s daily movements, while the Times has sent multiple push alerts to millions of readers for stories about the chaos inside CBS.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
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
-
When actually the true version of ourselves is kind of messy, chaotic and vulnerable.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
In its equilibrium, a good tomato sandwich is juicy and unctuous and appropriately messy, which is praise all too often reserved for hot sandwiches like cheesesteaks or patty melts.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
The theater is known for goofy, campy, original musical theater shows that riotously riff on fairy tales, folklore, TV shows and other familiar cultural tropes.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2026
-
Amid all the riotously vibrant production design and uniquely wide shots made possible by custom Panavision lenses, most of Riley’s themes are fairly accessible.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
After analyzing everything from Substack posts to my group chats, my hottest take is that everyone is simply confused.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
-
The man didn’t appear to make contact with any of the players during his few seconds on court, with replays showing Wembanyama smiling and looking confused.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
The two of us drifted aimlessly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Donovan Mitchell, whose box score of 21 points was deceiving, dribbled aimlessly while being hounded by Detroit defenders until his weak shot attempt was easily knocked away by Ausar Thompson before time expired.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The decade ended tumultuously, with the Osmond family’s fortune drained by a series of swindlers and grifters.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Elizabeth Banks is Lindy Littlejohn, a seriously frustrated writer, unhappily if tumultuously married to Les (Matthew Macfadyen), a brilliant scientist.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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