1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
an unkempt and cluttered room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
the stereotype of the unkempt but brilliant scientist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unkempt
Wallace’s bob was poker-straight, whereas Emily’s unkempt, messy waves boast plenty of texture.
—
Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Armed patrols man the streets, where unkempt survivors take jobs burning the dead and cleaning up waste to scrape by.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
His unkempt bedroom is nearly a deal-breaker, as are his clumsy attempts at foreplay.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Armed patrols man the streets, where unkempt survivors take jobs burning the dead and cleaning up waste to scrape by.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
His unkempt bedroom is nearly a deal-breaker, as are his clumsy attempts at foreplay.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkempt
Adjective
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Plus, Sherman-Palladino and Palladino were amenable to her perspective on Geneviève, an overburdened, passionate woman with a messy personal life.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
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The answer turned out to be an inversion of sorts — Kate ended up with a lot of comics Clint’s beats, including Lucky, the Pizza Dog, the messy apartment, and the fun trick arrows.—
Nola Pfau,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Had the veteran made sloppy errors or been at blame for any goals conceded, Farke would have been left with nowhere else to turn.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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During Nebraska’s run, Cardenas endured an uncharacteristic sloppy spell, turning over the ball six times in the first half.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Monday's event was the latest congressional town hall to get chaotic.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2025
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As a governance matter, some investors complained that the pivots are too chaotic.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With their thick, shaggy fur, the 5-month-old wolves are better adapted to the cold.—
Emily Mullin,
Wired News,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the first, the sheepdog appears engulfed by a thick coat of long white fur, his face nearly obscured by the shaggy mass.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Aurangzeb imprisoned his ailing father in 1658 and defeated his brother the year after, before forcibly parading him in chains on a filthy elephant on the streets of Delhi.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
18 Apr. 2025
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The network has ordered Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service, which will see the celebrity chef go undercover to rescue America’s filthiest restaurants.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Research published in Personal Relationships reflects this trend: Women often feel burdened by men’s untidy habits such as leaving messes.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Where Olive is messy, untidy, and unconcerned about the state of her apartment, Florence is obsessively clean, tidy, and obsessed with hygiene.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If readers are confused, consider yet again that Instagram could claim all of 30 million users when its acquisition was announced.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Those who lost their Medicaid health care reported being unaware or confused about how to report work hours.—
Phil Galewitz,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
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Corruption within the organization, after all, is as much a part of the show as Jackson Lamb’s slovenly habits and horrible diet.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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