as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the office is still topsy-turvy even though we moved in months ago
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in haphazard
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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
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
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
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
Providence and Lincoln-Way West move up, while Sandburg enters topsy-turvy rankings.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
Adjective
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The truth in this case — as is often true — is specific, chaotic, at times just dumb.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
-
The world is chaotic and noisy, and her approach demands patience, of which supply is limited.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
15 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
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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
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Russia’s departure from World War 1 led to a savage revolution; its loss in Afghanistan heralded the messy collapse of the Soviet Union; and Moscow levelled much of Grozny before giving Chechnya autonomy in 1996.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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The last case highlights the messy and contentious process the Founding Fathers underwent to form the federal government.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
18 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
-
This can leave them confused when community members respond to their friendliness with hostility.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
-
People who use psilocybin recreationally may become confused and jump off a building, David Yaden, a researcher at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University, told me.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
Adverb
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The data shows that the whale likely drifted aimlessly after that — or the transmitter's signal was lost, Backhaus said Friday during a news conference.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
-
Instead, leave some time to wander aimlessly, taking whichever turns seem most intriguing.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
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 20 Jun. 2026.
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