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
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
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Depending on how things shake out in court, representation could get messy for west Charlotte’s City Council District 3.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
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And that the wig was messy, but cute.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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According to Amazon reviews, the material is soft with just the right amount of stretch, while the fit is roomy without looking sloppy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
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In that high‑tempo, but sloppy matchup, the Wildcats fell 46‑24, with Mari Adams, a top running back, contributing heavily on the ground and showing flashes of explosive play.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is a young and talented group with tremendous upside under a defensive coordinator who thrives off chaotic defensive lines.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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But everything about this first half offensively — save for one TD pass to Sutton — has felt unorganized and ineffective and chaotic.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As for Myers' short, textured locks, hairstylist DJ Quintero had rom-com queen Meg Ryan in mind; specifically her shaggy look in When Harry Met Sally.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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Big curly cuts, bold afros, tight fades, shaggy layers, or a sharp bob—that’s my zone.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Away from a filthy Superdome and Convention Center where they had been holed up for days.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Alexander pulled out a baby-blue melodica to lay down a filthy ska rhythm for his band.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But having a lineup of bottles and jars on the counter looks a little untidy.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
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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
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While his wife and daughter build a new life in Vienna, Roman stays behind — confused, restless and convinced that things will get better.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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With nearby MPs training their guns on her, Ziva laid down her weapon and sprawled across the blacktop, looking up at a confused Tali.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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