as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 messy
His exit from his alma mater was messy, to put it mildly.
—
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In general, the empirical evidence about participatory online media is notoriously messy and contested.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Bags that don’t attach to pumps require milk to be transferred into them, which can be somewhat messy.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In general, the empirical evidence about participatory online media is notoriously messy and contested.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Bags that don’t attach to pumps require milk to be transferred into them, which can be somewhat messy.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
-
Critics call them a chaotic attack that will have lasting impacts on America.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Tkachuk brothers’ offense generation The Tkachuk brothers are well known for their innate ability to generate chances thanks to their chaotic playstyle and affinity for going to the dirty areas.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the 24th minute, Mitchell senior captain Adam Naim, who had already been shown a yellow for dissent, was issued his second yellow for a sloppy tackle from behind and was sent off, forcing the Mustangs to play a man down for the rest of the match.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Making the leads play to sloppy Boomer and Gen Z stereotypes is a slight to everyone involved, including the audience.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
For many, the frenetic nature of the firings has left them confused – and even days later – without a full accounting of their termination.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Build your strategy around results Showing up to your laptop without a plan will leave you confused, tired and unsure about the next step.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This was to help end the puppy mill industry, where dogs are bred en masse, leading them to be born and raised in filthy and neglected conditions.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The boys all came home, filthy and with unbrushed teeth.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Orange County Register,
5 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to messy
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share