untidy

adjective

ˌən-ˈtī-dē How to pronounce untidy (audio)
Definition of untidynext
1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness I can never find anything in this untidy office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person neighbors gossiped about the woman's rumpled and untidy children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of untidy The expansion of the humanitarian system was untidy and asymmetric, driven by the organizational self-interest of the bigger international NGOs and UN agencies involved in crisis response and their desire for greater market share. — Time, 26 Feb. 2026 An early version of the best dessert in the house was a great-tasting but untidy wet block of orange cake the size of a solitaire deck with a ping-pong scoop of chocolate ice cream. — Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026 Commoners’ untidy open fields are returning to contemporary agricultural practice. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 Trusting our usual virtual background on Teams to mask an untidy living room or kitchen table from colleagues. — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for untidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untidy
  1. messy
  2. sloppy
  3. chaotic
  4. unkempt
  5. littered
  6. wrinkled
  7. cluttered
  8. shaggy
Adjective
  • Each baby wore a collar with a chain and had a messy bed of straw.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The way the film gets to that epic crossover moment is a little messy — Peter’s intentions of trying to rehabilitate invading villains like Doc Ock (Alfred Molina) and the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) are noble but sadly naïve in a frustrating way.
    — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of messy
Adjective
  • Between snot, sloppy kisses, spit up, poop and grabby little hands, there are plenty of other pathways by which a lactating parent’s body could get information about what antibodies to put on the menu.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 29 July 2026
  • Just barely sloppy enough for the Court of Appeals to conclude that the mere recital that the interests were held in TBE was not enough.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • The fan-favorite Green secured a career-defining victory, capitalizing on a chaotic finish involving top contenders like Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, and Lash Legend.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • These essentials, and so much more, have completely transformed my chaotic packing system into a seamless one.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • Milkweed tends to thrive in transitional areas, such as fallow fields, unkempt lawns, and the edges of highways.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • Today, some bright spots aside, the Art Deco District’s historic commercial spine is a drab length of vacant and unkempt storefronts, smoke shops, liquor stores, fast-food outlets, cheap T-shirt emporia and other varieties of tourist trap.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of unkempt
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
Definition of littered
Adjective
  • Participants with wet but non-wrinkled fingers required significantly more force to maintain the same hold; their hands were working harder to do less.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of wrinkled
Adjective
  • However, the interface relies heavily on massive, auto-playing video tiles and blocky promotional banners that constantly compete for your attention, making the overall browsing experience a bit too cluttered and chaotic for my liking.
    — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • Tidying up the Bathroom No one wants to wind down for the evening applying skincare in a cluttered bathroom, so spending time to put your products away after using them in the morning is essential, Naor explains.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 July 2026
Definition of cluttered
Adjective
  • The ferocious character also features shaggy black-and-orange hair that matches his tattered pants, and a large necklace adorned with teeth.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • In February, the actress was spotted in Los Angeles with film producer Josh Lieberman sporting a short, shaggy haircut that enhanced her natural texture.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
Definition of shaggy

Browse Nearby Words

untidiness
untidy
untie
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Cite this Entry

“Untidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untidy. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of untidy for Spanish Speakers

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