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
-
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
-
Lasers and growls don’t haphazardly nuke the mix; they’re woven in with the improv sensibility of a former theory-brained jazz band kid.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
28 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Will America be messy once again, pairing Sol with Sincere, basically recreating last year’s drama when Jeremiah was paired with Iris?—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
-
Consider transplanting smaller plants farther away so that feasting birds will leave their messy droppings elsewhere.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Adverb
-
Hotel The Olympia Sydney After years of being mummified in scaffolding on Oxford Street, the former West Olympia Theatre has reemerged as 25hours Hotel The Olympia, a riotously fun, high-voltage new entrant to Sydney’s hotel scene.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
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Details of who found them and where were also vague, with one popular story featuring a hungry cow riotously disturbing the earth to reveal a ceramic container.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This can leave them confused when community members respond to their friendliness with hostility.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
-
Parker froze, stunned and confused, while her cousin and friend sprinted for an exit.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Adverb
-
Instead, leave some time to wander aimlessly, taking whichever turns seem most intriguing.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2026
-
The two of us drifted aimlessly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 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
-
Archival interests among artists may be residue of our tumultuously evolving digital age.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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