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
Relevance
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)
Verb
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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
Verb
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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
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While many organizations prioritize technology, additional areas outside the technological realm can disrupt security capabilities and affect vulnerability management.—
Dewayne Hart,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Both players refused to release the ball in an epic battle for possession, the players stumbling toward the TCU student section.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2025
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Matthias Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Automotive Research, said BYD’s plans for Germany have stumbled as EV sales slumped after government incentives were removed.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The Eagles defense also uncharacteristically blew several coverages in Week 16, including on two of Daniels’ five touchdown passes.—
Ted Nguyen,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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Is this a lot of hocus pocus or a computational paradigm that might blow current capabilities out of the water and make NVDA look like, well, Intel of prior years?—
Vineer Bhansali,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Trail Cam Revolution Modern trail cams started appearing in the 1980s with the advent of motion sensors that could trip a camera shutter.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Zach Werenski, who has been one of the NHL’s elite performers this season, simply tripped while all alone carrying the puck up the ice on the power play.—
Aaron Portzline,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Some residents have confused local law enforcement for ICE agents, said Earl Stoddard, an assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County, a sign of locals' anxieties that their neighborhood could be the agency's next target.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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After a whirlwind of speculation and confusing back-and-forth negotiations, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Asked about his identity and to provide authorization, Deng tried to hide his equipment and flee, prompting the officials to take him and his companions into custody.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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When Hamas chose to go to ground inside Gaza and hide among its people, Israel followed it down, leveling the territory and its population to get at its enemy.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Jan. 2025
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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 30 Jan. 2025.
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