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

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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
  • My manuscript was finally being read by editors, who responded with almost-wins — an overtime pass, fumbled.
    Tara Dorabji, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Gone are the days of fumbling with cords and adapters—this smart board simplifies connectivity to keep your focus on what matters most.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2025
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Amyloid plaques accumulate between neurons, disrupting communication and leading to memory loss and cognitive decline, while tau tangles accumulate inside neurons, disrupting their normal function and leading to neuronal death.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • As the region grapples with the sheer number of homes and buildings destroyed, livelihoods disrupted and lives lost, its signature industry will face yet another setback in the loss of go-to filming spots, particularly in the Altadena area and Pacific Palisades.
    Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • Thomas watches as a naked virgin rides a horse, which is meant to stumble upon reaching the grave of a vampire.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Packers stumbled down the stretch, losing three of five, including two in a row.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • If pets do go outside, Aitken recommended wiping their paws with a wet towel or baby wipes to ensure any soot is removed, to stop them from licking it off.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Wipe paws off after walking outdoors with a wet washcloth or baby wipes to prevent pets from licking soot off of their feet after coming inside.
    Geoffrey Eisler, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2025
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Credit them with winning 10 games although losing three of their last four and blowing a chance to win the ACC championship and get into the playoff put a huge damper on the season.
    Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The December jobs report showed the U.S. economy blowing past expectations to end the year.
    Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The instructions emphasized folks not tripping in their fabulous boots while boarding and on being cool.
    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
  • And two, space heaters can fall and give you a shock or burn—especially if someone trips over the cord.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of trip
Verb
  • Evans believes a lack of planning is largely to blame for our productivity failures, and warns people not to confuse being busy with being productive.
    Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Penn State’s receivers won’t be confused for an elite group, but tight end Tyler Warren is the top player in the country at that position, and the running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton is one of the nation’s best.
    Antonio Morales, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • At the time, wolves were still considered predatory varmints to be shot from airplanes, trapped and snared for $100 bounty and whatever hides would bring.
    Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Walshe, 49, of Cohasset, is accused of murdering his wife Ana Walshe, dismembering her body on New Years 2023 and hiding it in dumpsters around Greater Boston.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2025
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 21 Jan. 2025.

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