1
as in fumbled
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 disrupted
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 stumbled
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 licked
to strike repeatedly
threatened that he would mess him up if he cheated at the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messed (up)
Verb
-
Coleman fumbled away his first catch in that game, at Buffalo’s 10-yard line, gifting New England a free field goal in a three-point game.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025 -
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled a handoff late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Bears’ defense to recover.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These dolphins exhibited 536 altered genes, indicating disrupted GABAergic synapses, changes in the basement membrane, and increased Alzheimer's risk factors, which worsen with each bloom season.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Air travel was snarled during the more than month-long government shutdown that ended in January 2019, hours after a shortfall of air traffic controllers disrupted flights in the New York area.—
Lillian Rizzo,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After a drunken night out at Big Belly Burger, Chris and Harcourt stumbled onto a rock cruise fronted by hard rock duo Nelson and ended up sharing a dance and a kiss.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Upon landing in London, the two friends looked for something to eat near their hotel in King's Cross, and stumbled upon restaurant Indian Lounge—which had over 11,000 Google reviews.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The carcass was gone, the grass and weeds were licked clean of blood, and the knife was buried under debris.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Show Viz Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest had counter-attacking licked.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Though some might be confused by insurance companies sending letters urging consumers to get screened, some advocates say any awareness about colon cancer screening is welcome.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The second-year coach appeared to be confused after the foul call before exiting the court and heading into the locker room tunnel.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Mavericks pounded tables and stomped their feet.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Storms have already pounded the Outer Banks this year, and Porter warned there could be less natural barriers like sand dunes to block the relentless waves.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The boy stopped the chase after the child tripped, the other boy told deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
And Anand pointed out that the government similarly warned about crippling lawsuits when the Supreme Court, in 2006, considered a case brought by a woman who tripped over mail left on her porch.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Polanco lashed the game-winner, through the right side off a Tommy Kahnle changeup, Crawford shimmied off third with a spin.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has also openly lashed out at cryptocurrencies.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Messed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messed%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share