1
as in messy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
dumped the papers in a sloppy pile on the desk
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a cinematic romance with a sloppy musical score that will have audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
SpaceX doesn’t own the chip fabs or the power grid, and pretending otherwise is where this argument gets sloppy.
—
Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
In high-traffic areas, the effects only worsen, turning a room meant to feel polished into one that looks tired and sloppy.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
San Antonio made nine of its first 11 shots, with the Knicks and their fans frustrated by the referees and the home team’s sloppy play, and led 33-22 after one.
—Brian Mahoney, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Later in 2025 Blanche oversaw the release of documents as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which drew criticism from Epstein survivors as being slow, sloppy, and incomplete.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
In high-traffic areas, the effects only worsen, turning a room meant to feel polished into one that looks tired and sloppy.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
San Antonio made nine of its first 11 shots, with the Knicks and their fans frustrated by the referees and the home team’s sloppy play, and led 33-22 after one.
—Brian Mahoney, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Later in 2025 Blanche oversaw the release of documents as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which drew criticism from Epstein survivors as being slow, sloppy, and incomplete.
—Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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Russia’s departure from World War 1 led to a savage revolution; its loss in Afghanistan heralded the messy collapse of the Soviet Union; and Moscow levelled much of Grozny before giving Chechnya autonomy in 1996.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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The last case highlights the messy and contentious process the Founding Fathers underwent to form the federal government.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The truth in this case — as is often true — is specific, chaotic, at times just dumb.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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The world is chaotic and noisy, and her approach demands patience, of which supply is limited.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Spielberg's vision is sentimental yet feels so satisfying.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
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This exuberance isn’t without a sentimental heart.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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And this is where the movie takes off from retro mythology to become its own slovenly mod thing.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This can leave them confused when community members respond to their friendliness with hostility.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
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People who use psilocybin recreationally may become confused and jump off a building, David Yaden, a researcher at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University, told me.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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This helps prevent crumbs, dust, and sticky residue from accumulating in hard-to-see areas.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
16 June 2026
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No flakes, no buildup, no sticky feel -- just long-lasting hold and definition that keeps your hair moving.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Participants with wet but non-wrinkled fingers required significantly more force to maintain the same hold; their hands were working harder to do less.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But, the freedom loving sane people of this great country came to Karoline's defense to show support, destroy the filthy LIBS and celebrate the greatest press secretary this country has ever employed.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Fans fought in the streets, heaved bottles, smashed windows and shouted filthy insults in the melee, which left nearly 50 people injured.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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