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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unkempt
Weeds can take over in a hurry, choking out lawns and gardens and making landscapes look unkempt.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 12 July 2023
Wallace’s bob was poker-straight, whereas Emily’s unkempt, messy waves boast plenty of texture.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
Some lawns are manicured while others are unkempt.
—Dallas News, 20 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 12 July 2023
Wallace’s bob was poker-straight, whereas Emily’s unkempt, messy waves boast plenty of texture.
—Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
Some lawns are manicured while others are unkempt.
—Dallas News, 20 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkempt
Adjective
-
With the success of TV shows like Hacks and The White Lotus, which explore the beautifully complicated, often messy inner lives of women who don’t fit the ingenue mold, perhaps more production companies will take chances on similar shows.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Jars of thick honey can feel messy or impractical for travel.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The three-part Season 5 premiere feels incredibly sloppy to me overall.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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With that history and with Aaron Glenn trying to deliver a message just one game into his head coaching career, Gipson will serve as the example to the rest of the Jets' roster that sloppy turnovers will not be tolerated.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Creative Arts Emmys, held on September 6 and 7, had already handed out several exciting awards, including for Bryan Cranston’s guest turn on The Studio and Julianne Nicholson’s chaotic arc on Hacks.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
-
After several chaotic minutes with no cell phone service, mother and daughter finally reunited next to the plaza.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Sienna Miller has been spotted rocking long boho blonde mermaid waves, while Suki Waterhouse has tried it out on her signature shaggy layers and bangs.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
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Nighy was even anxious seeing himself in character with a shaggy mane and an unusually long beard reflected back to his eyes on the & Sons set.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Or find a less filthy campmate.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Away from a filthy Superdome and Convention Center where they had been holed up for days.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But having a lineup of bottles and jars on the counter looks a little untidy.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
-
The untidy performance, which featured two throwing errors in the infield and a season-high five walks from Carlos Rodón, dropped the second-place Yankees to 55-45.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The young men in Bruins blue and gold staggering off the field afterwards dazed, confused.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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