1
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
the bachelor party had left the house in a total mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meal
food eaten or prepared for eating at one time
a mess of oatmeal
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in loads
a considerable amount
an unexpected Super Bowl loss that unleashed a whole mess of finger-pointing and second-guessing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to interfere
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
please don't mess with me while I'm trying to concentrate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mess
Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Over the last month, the Rangers have been a mess at five-on-five — more than usual — and have had a bafflingly bad power play.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2024
The vacuum also has a five-stage filtration system that thoroughly traps messes and prevents germs and allergens from spewing back into the air.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mess 
Noun
Towels or rags that can be used to clean the pet and/or their messes.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Over the last month, the Rangers have been a mess at five-on-five — more than usual — and have had a bafflingly bad power play.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Use it as a traditional SUP or even a kayak for tons of fun without having to mess too much with convertible parts.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2024
The vacuum also has a five-stage filtration system that thoroughly traps messes and prevents germs and allergens from spewing back into the air.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
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Eoghan O’Connell’s role in both Shrewsbury goals was high on most culpability lists, as was a distinct lack of creativity in midfield and a failure to pose any kind of threat down the left side when Ryan Barnett was causing havoc down the opposite flank.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
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Walker thinks people may now be more receptive to her message, given the devastating wildfires that have wrought havoc on Los Angeles itself the past week.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Dear Margaret Dear Margaret in Lakeview pays homage to family farm meals, seasonal produce and French Canadian fare.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
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Leave a comment View Comments Try to avoid screen time around meals to encourage conversation and keep an eye on children’s eating habits.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps the sight of massive men violently crashing into one another encouraged protective parents to worry about their daughters.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
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The sight of her towering sails conjures names plucked from the pages of history books—Magellan, Morgan, Drake, Vespucci and Teach.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Reddit won’t interfere Ars Technica reached out to Reddit for a response to X bans and whether such bans could be interpreted as breaking any of Reddit’s rules.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
22 Jan. 2025
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And one thing that could help Republicans win future elections is to interfere in what should be the nonpartisan administration and certification of elections.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Omaha packs one hell of an emotional gut-punch, especially thanks to a wise-beyond-her-years performance by Molly Belle Wright.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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While touchdown connections with rookie sensation Jayden Daniels have helped lift this moribund franchise out of the depths of football hell, McLaurin finds his high by creating deep personal relationships with teammates.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Photo Gallery: McDonald’s in more than 55 countries An award-winning food photographer experienced firsthand how McDonald’s incorporates local flavors into its menu items.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
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Then there are secret menus, items that only insiders can recommend, never written out in any official capacity but known by the people who know.—
Sunny Hubler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In a second Instagram Stories post, the singer offered another look at the cake, featuring a large bust of a clicker, the fungal zombie-esque frights from the Last of Us video game franchise and HBO series of the same name.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
13 Jan. 2025
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The Vanishing will have no shortage of frights, action and bizarre phenomena.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Giants signed Rogers to the three-year deal before the 2023 season.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
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Don’t wait to shop the best deals below for up to 78 percent off.—
Lauren Fischer,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Video
Hot Mess
Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings
Thesaurus Entries Near mess
Cite this Entry
“Mess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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