as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of messy
The aftermath of their messy split included a bitter battle over finances and custody of their children.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
First is the messy legal battle between her ex-bestie Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and other government agencies has been messy.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 16 Mar. 2025
The Long Island Bird and Exotics Veterinary Clinic cautioned that parrots are messy by nature and will bury their feces or food at the bottom of their cages.
—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
First is the messy legal battle between her ex-bestie Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and other government agencies has been messy.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 16 Mar. 2025
The Long Island Bird and Exotics Veterinary Clinic cautioned that parrots are messy by nature and will bury their feces or food at the bottom of their cages.
—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
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Social Security problems The chaotic situation around DOGE has raised concerns that federal programs such as Social Security that many Americans rely on could be impacted.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Carter arrives as a fumbling, awkward, lovable med student—the audience surrogate in the chaotic and intense environment of a fictional Chicago emergency ward.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Read's lawyers pointed repeatedly to sloppy policing, including leaving the scene unsecured for hours and not searching the house.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Canucks managed to win despite an off night for Quinn Hughes and some sloppy defensive coverage in the neutral zone throughout the evening, but especially in the first period.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While older teens might appreciate its message about family and independence, younger kids will likely be more confused than entertained.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
26 Mar. 2025
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Sea lions and dolphins have been observed rigid with seizures, acting dazed and confused.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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