messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
a messy room
3
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
a messy divorce
Synonyms
Examples of messy in a Sentence
Painting a room can be messy work.
Some kinds of glue are messier than others.
a delicious but messy sandwich
Recent Examples on the Web
Their divorce has been messy, with both exes calling each other out via Instagram.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The decision worked smoothly for the AAC in Year 1 of this new setup, but the potential for a messy schedule remains in the future.
—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 13 Dec. 2024
New cultural identities emerge as part of a messy, joyful process.
—Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024
Lauren Goode: Total Nextdoor vibes or stuff about relationship drama, really messy situations.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for messy 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The decision worked smoothly for the AAC in Year 1 of this new setup, but the potential for a messy schedule remains in the future.
—Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 13 Dec. 2024
New cultural identities emerge as part of a messy, joyful process.
—Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024
Lauren Goode: Total Nextdoor vibes or stuff about relationship drama, really messy situations.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for messy
Articles Related to messy
Dictionary Entries Near messy
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messy. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
messy
adjective
messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
2
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
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