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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Recent Examples of messy
His exit from his alma mater was messy, to put it mildly.
—
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In general, the empirical evidence about participatory online media is notoriously messy and contested.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Bags that don’t attach to pumps require milk to be transferred into them, which can be somewhat messy.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
In general, the empirical evidence about participatory online media is notoriously messy and contested.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Bags that don’t attach to pumps require milk to be transferred into them, which can be somewhat messy.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
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This fresh, modern reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic by Andrew Ahn follows a group of friends who need to get married for convenience—until family arrives, and the plan spirals into extravagant, chaotic mayhem.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
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Moreover, the chaotic layoff of federal workers will likely lead to a rise in unemployment and tightening of spending by those losing their jobs.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The first half was sloppy for both teams as the two totaled nine turnovers each.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
1 Mar. 2025
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The complaint filed by five labor unions and five nonprofit organizations is among multiple lawsuits pushing back on the administration's efforts to vastly shrink the federal workforce, which Trump has called bloated and sloppy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Things seem out of alignment, from confused brand names, dates and products to upsets creating conflict and negativity, impacting customer appeal.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
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The broadcast then cut to Berry looking slightly confused and wiping her lips, prompting criticism for Brody kissing Berry without consent.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Impacted national park and forest employees say fewer workers will lead to longer lines, filthy bathrooms and unsafe hiking and camping conditions at America's precious public lands.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
24 Feb. 2025
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Between sweat, body oils, dust, dirt, hair, and grime, yoga mats, weights, and treadmills can get pretty filthy.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to messy
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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