as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of messy
The aftermath of their messy split included a bitter battle over finances and custody of their children.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
First is the messy legal battle between her ex-bestie Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and other government agencies has been messy.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 16 Mar. 2025
The Long Island Bird and Exotics Veterinary Clinic cautioned that parrots are messy by nature and will bury their feces or food at the bottom of their cages.
—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
First is the messy legal battle between her ex-bestie Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and other government agencies has been messy.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 16 Mar. 2025
The Long Island Bird and Exotics Veterinary Clinic cautioned that parrots are messy by nature and will bury their feces or food at the bottom of their cages.
—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
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The result is a topsy-turvy movie that is also spiritually profound in ways that the Marvel and DC franchises don’t dare but that became abstruse and chaotic in Snyder’s many Rebel Moon iterations.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, the White House’s on-again, off-again approach to tariffs with our major trading partners is so chaotic, it can barely be called a policy.—
MoneyShow,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The latest: The Cavs looked sloppy and tired at points this week, but still gutted out comeback wins against Miami, Charlotte and Brooklyn.—
Sam Allard,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
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There’s also the possibility that when you get fatigued, your muscles may not be as able to fully support your knee, and your footwork can get sloppier, making the possibility of an awkward twist all the more likely.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Imagine how confused ordinary taxpayers are by this ridiculous, irresponsible, intergovernmental spat.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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Tuna was both curious and confused as to why Evelyn dared to leave his side.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In early modern Europe, the filthiest trades (such as tanning) were branded nuisances and forced out of cities and closer to those living at society’s margins.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
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The beat is straight up filthy, as are the lyrics, written from the point of view of a seductress who is simultaneously a literal murderer.—
James Factora,
Them,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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