topsy-turvy 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of topsy-turvynext
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

topsy-turvy

2 of 2

adverb

as in haphazard

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
Make the topsy-turvy Tony experience this year part of the fun, and give us chaos this Sunday, please. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026 The sixth inning was the most crucial frame of a topsy-turvy game that was poised to be high-scoring from the start. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
  1. chaotic
  2. haphazardly
  3. messy
  4. riotously
  5. confused
  6. aimlessly
  7. littered
  8. turbulently
Adjective
  • More has been learned about the chaotic moments leading up to Friday's violent disruption at a Midtown synagogue.
    — Allen Devlin, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In the five years since the chaotic US withdrawal from Kabul and the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan has become home to one of the world’s worst human rights and humanitarian emergencies.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adverb
  • Nobody's going out of their way for someone who haphazardly dropped a bunch of fire emojis in response to their bid for connection.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Not Considering the Plant’s Future Avoid pruning haphazardly without carefully evaluating the situation first.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026
Definition of haphazardly
Adjective
  • Traditional approaches to studying cause-and-effect relationships are often not possible when investigating populations and ecosystems, which are large, complex and messy.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Too many items or mismatched pieces on open shelves and racks can make a room look disorganized and messy.
    — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of messy
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
Definition of riotously
Adjective
  • Kat is confused and correct that giving her no explanation was an awful way of going about it.
    — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Needless to say, that left everyone in Toronto a little confused.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confused
Adverb
  • Locals were concerned by the thousands of mostly young men aimlessly walking the streets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Fox will pace aimlessly around the putting green, or speak with Smith to avoid overthinking in between shots.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of aimlessly
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
Definition of littered
Adverb
  • Instead of a steady stream, rising water churns turbulently against the frigid walls of the fractures, rapidly losing heat.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of turbulently

Browse Nearby Words

topsoils
topsy-turvy
toque
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Cite this Entry

“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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