Synonyms of messy

messy

adjective

ˈme-sē 

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

• chaotic
• sloppy
• cluttered
• confused
• jumbled
• littered
• filthy
• messed
• dirty
• untidy
• shaggy
• stained
• tangled
• wrinkled
• muddled
• tumbled
• unkempt
• disorderly
• disheveled
• disordered
• nasty
• dishevelled
• disarrayed
• rumpled
• tousled
• disarranged
• out of joint
• mussy
• mussed
• knotted
• blackened
• higgledy-piggledy
• topsy-turvy
• at sixes and sevens
• grimy
• smudged
• mucky
• upside-down
• pell-mell
• spotted
• grubby
• unclean
• squalid
• hugger-mugger
• dingy
• slovenly
• grungy
• soiled
• polluted
• contaminated
• foul
• uncombed
• uncleanly
• grotty
• sullied
• bedraggled
• begrimed
• frowzy
• cruddy
• neglected
• draggled
• slatternly
• dowdy
• neglectful
• sordid
• frowsy
• shabby
• snarled
• tainted
• sloven
• negligent
• adulterated
• befouled
• besmirched
• bemired
• seedy
• sleazy
• defiled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• neat
• orderly
• tidy
• organized
• clean
• uncluttered
• cleaned
• crisp
• trim
• well-ordered
• hygienic
• systematic
• spotless
• kempt
• shipshape
• immaculate
• sparkling
• ordered
• stainless
• cleanly
• regular
• unsullied
• antiseptic
• careful
• snug
• methodical
• spick-and-span
• unsoiled
• tidied
• meticulous
• systematized
• methodic
• finicky
• fussy
• neatened
• fastidious
• spic-and-span
• bandbox
• manicured
• wholesome
• groomed
• combed
• unpolluted
• untainted
• undefiled
• well-groomed
• taintless

Examples of messy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Landing somewhere in between glam, grunge, and grime, the makeup gives messy party-girl vibes. —Elle Turner, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2024

Then, when Biden finally did so, the party moved decisively to avoid a messy nomination fight and coronate Harris as its new nominee. —Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2024

To watch these inanimate objects putter about is, in many ways, to experience the future in all its messy contradictions. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2024

Singer Brian Johnson left the tour early due to hearing problems, drummer Phil Rudd was MIA because of a rather messy legal situation in New Zealand, and bassist Cliff Williams simply had enough and announced plans to retire. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2024