mess (up)

verb

Definition of mess (up)next
1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way messed up the drawing and had to start over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of a nap had messed up her hair and she looked a sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake if anyone messes up even once while we're recording, we have to start all over again

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly threatened that he would mess him up if he cheated at the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess (up)
  1. fumble
  2. disrupt
  3. stumble
  4. lick
  5. blow
  6. trip
  7. confuse
  8. hide
Verb
  • Taylor started Indy’s unraveling by fumbling away a would-be 41-yard touchdown early in the third quarter that would’ve given Indianapolis a 20-7 lead.
    Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • That’s what Matt Stafford did after fumbling through the start of the game.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Sensory processing issues affect 1 in 20 people, including typically developing children, while audiovisual overstimulation can disrupt learning for all users, not just those with sensory sensitivities.
    Hashim Hayat, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Pearson, 28, became an effective multi-inning reliever after getting traded from Toronto (2.73 ERA in 19 appearances), and the Cubs probably won’t want to disrupt that momentum.
    Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • The chances of you strolling up to a domain registrar and snapping up a domain worth thousands of dollars is about the same as stumbling upon a Jackson Pollock in a thrift store.
    Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In Northern California, the San Francisco Giants stumbled to another losing season in 2024.
    David K. Li, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Universal’s Wicked licked the $500M global milestone this session, adding $21.5M from 81 offshore markets (-39%) to lift the international cume to $166M. With $525M, global, the movie is playing more to domestic, as expected, but continues to make its mark overseas.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Anxious dogs that like to obsessively lick, dig or sniff might also like pad toys.
    Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Your emotional endurance, positive disposition, unbelievable talent (that blows me away), undeniable humor and loving, kind heart absolutely kill me.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Many of the winds that blow down mountain slopes in California are also named for their locale, according to Null.
    Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Definition of blow
Verb
  • And Brunson? All hearts in New York City skipped a beat when the Knicks’ captain and floor general tripped over a fan sitting court side and gingerly walked directly to the locker room.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Although quarterback Jared Goff tripped during the handoff exchange with running back David Montgomery, the Lions still managed to put Lions kicker Jake Bates in position for a 35-yard field goal attempt.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of trip
Verb
  • These tools blur the line between reality and fiction, which can confuse audiences, especially younger viewers.
    Gerui Wang, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • However, her version is not to be confused with the film’s official soundtrack.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • But, of course, around them hiding in forests and hills and woods are the infected.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024
  • But of course, around them hiding in forests and hills and woods are the infected.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of hide
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near mess (up)

mess over

mess (up)

mess (with)

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Cite this Entry

“Mess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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