1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
an unkempt and cluttered room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
the stereotype of the unkempt but brilliant scientist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unkempt
To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required.
—
Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
The fit is snug and flattering, so there’s nothing unkempt about it, even though the vibe is casual.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Proper creativity makes for unkempt spaces.
—Katie Da Cunha Lewin
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Panleukopenia - lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, painful abdomen, dehydration, weight loss, rough or unkempt hair coat, fever, decreased to absent appetite or collapse.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
The fit is snug and flattering, so there’s nothing unkempt about it, even though the vibe is casual.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Proper creativity makes for unkempt spaces.
—Katie Da Cunha Lewin
september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Panleukopenia - lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, painful abdomen, dehydration, weight loss, rough or unkempt hair coat, fever, decreased to absent appetite or collapse.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkempt
Adjective
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The podcast episode premiered amid Angelia Solomon's ongoing court battle more than a decade after her and Aaron Solomon's bitter and messy divorce in 2013.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
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Moisten the disposable sheets with water and a gentle cleaning agent like Dawn dish soap, then use the DIY wet wipes to clean countertops or messy faces.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Skin-tight is out, baggy is in, and these buttery-soft pieces prove that comfort doesn’t have to equal sloppy.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
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These records aren’t sloppy mistakes—they’re the default behavior of most agentic AI systems.—
Keivan Navaie,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Add to this Senne Lammens, who has brought calm to a previously chaotic goalkeeping situation, and INEOS’ bold approach to the summer window is starting to pay off.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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New York City officials condemn federal immigration raid A chaotic immigration raid in New York City on Tuesday reflected the US government’s widening deportation campaign, drawing outrage from local officials and residents.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Few pieces of decor are as dreamy as the ones covered in faux fur, and this shaggy beanbag chair is no exception.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 Oct. 2025
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For the event, the actor returned to his shaggy crew cut in his honey blonde hue — coordinating his 'stache and all.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Jackson Lamb has long, greasy hair and a pot belly over which hangs a filthy old trench coat.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Many plants, shrubs, and trees on the three-acre landscape had been ravaged by back-to-back hurricanes, while others had become overgrown and untidy.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Oct. 2025
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For those with untidy cleaning closets like myself, this nifty holder mounts to your wall and is designed with special grips to hold your go-to broom, tried-and-true mop, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those willing to put in the time (and those who aren't easily wigged out) may find to their confused delight that Tippett is the maddest creative god of them all.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Oscar-winning filmmaker makes the viewer as torn and confused and at wit’s end as the people trying to avoid doomsday.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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