as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a tousled pile of yarn and material scraps at the bottom of her craft box
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in disrupted
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
his grandfather would always tousle the boy's neatly combed hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tousled
Grace McCarty, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
In his ’70s heyday, few actors possessed Redford’s star wattage, aided considerably by his tousled blond locks, granite jaw and million-dollar smile.
—Steve Chagollan, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Emma, meanwhile, pulled her hair back into a low, tousled ponytail.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Go big and bold like Cardi, try a romantic, tousled twist like Martha Stewart, or consider Hailey Bieber's tight, knotted ballerina bun, which the Rhode founder has been wearing on repeat.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Sep. 2025
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Look at Jimmy Fallon, who steered clear of the wrong jokes and tousled the right hair, and is still catching all-caps strays on Truth Social.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Her tousled hair and smoky cat eye are callbacks to the divisive cover of her new album, Man’s Best Friend.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
In his ’70s heyday, few actors possessed Redford’s star wattage, aided considerably by his tousled blond locks, granite jaw and million-dollar smile.
—Steve Chagollan, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Emma, meanwhile, pulled her hair back into a low, tousled ponytail.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Go big and bold like Cardi, try a romantic, tousled twist like Martha Stewart, or consider Hailey Bieber's tight, knotted ballerina bun, which the Rhode founder has been wearing on repeat.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Her blonde locks were tousled, parted down the center and gently flowed down her shoulders and back.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Look at Jimmy Fallon, who steered clear of the wrong jokes and tousled the right hair, and is still catching all-caps strays on Truth Social.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tousled
Adjective
-
Between the messy decline of solar cycle 25 and the possibility of a dramatic last gasp, aurora hunters may still have their best nights ahead.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Ceiling Fixtures Most people don't climb up a ladder to dust ceiling fixtures, so this is going to be a messy job.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The rise of streaming and shifting business models have disrupted the rhythms on which many of us built stable careers, and production has become increasingly global and complex.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
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On one hand, companies like Upwork and Fiverr have suffered as generative AI has disrupted simple contract jobs like copyediting and translation.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But, true to the chaotic and improvisational nature of his medium, the screening was delayed by about 25 minutes as Speed wrapped things up and attendees were corralled to their seats with buckets of kettle corn and hard Topo Chicos.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
5 Oct. 2025
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Some have turned chaotic, with protesters clashing with authorities.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lethargic and confused in their play.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Oxygen bleach soaks—Oxygen bleach (not to be confused with chlorine bleach) is a gentle yet powerful whitening agent.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Amid the hangover of the 0-4 start, students shuffled out their dorms, lured by free food and faint promise of school spirit at the Rose Bowl.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Restyle Soft Goods Soft goods like accent pillows, throw blankets, and even curtains can be easily shuffled around to refresh your space, Reinhard says.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Her soft, shaggy lob is easygoing and effortless—a departure from her past looks, which were heavy, messy-on-purpose blowouts.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
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Halle Berry and Sabrina Elba both opted for shaggy brown haircuts; the former, a highlighted bob, and the latter, a mid-length single-tone with textured bangs.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Part of the controversy appears to have related to the fact that the carpet covered tile that, if disturbed, could expose children to asbestos.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Boxelder bugs can also release an unpleasant smell when crushed or otherwise disturbed.—
Andrea Beck,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tousled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tousled. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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