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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Even as sloppy or one-sided as Dawn’s subplots could be, Trachtenberg always transcended the material through her innate chemistry with Gellar.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
The first half was sloppy for both teams as the two totaled nine turnovers each.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
Pacific Ridge survived a sloppy, nine-turnover third quarter, and still led by 10 heading into the final eight minutes.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Are they based on facts, or represent sloppy research, or are hype-driven, or maybe simply delusional?
—Gil Press, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
The first half was sloppy for both teams as the two totaled nine turnovers each.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
Pacific Ridge survived a sloppy, nine-turnover third quarter, and still led by 10 heading into the final eight minutes.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Are they based on facts, or represent sloppy research, or are hype-driven, or maybe simply delusional?
—Gil Press, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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Nearly two months have passed since a trade finalized the messy breakup between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat, but the ugly ending to their time together will be a popular topic of conversation for the next few days.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2025
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And yet, something about Careless People—beyond the court order, the messy PR spectacle, and Wynn-Williams’s formidable storytelling abilities—feels urgent, even necessary right now.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The result is a topsy-turvy movie that is also spiritually profound in ways that the Marvel and DC franchises don’t dare but that became abstruse and chaotic in Snyder’s many Rebel Moon iterations.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, the White House’s on-again, off-again approach to tariffs with our major trading partners is so chaotic, it can barely be called a policy.—
MoneyShow,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The opportunity to expand his supplier network, combined with Vidalia’s proximity and its acquisition the sentimental shuttle looms, made the prospect of working with the doomed mill appealing on paper.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Mar. 2025
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While wearing gaudy lime green T-shirts, neon ties sprouting shamrocks with Gaelic sayings, or singing catchy, sentimental tunes, many people also enjoy an Americanized version of the Celtic culture for a day, whether Irish or not.—
Maureen Murphy,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
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Corruption within the organization, after all, is as much a part of the show as Jackson Lamb’s slovenly habits and horrible diet.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Imagine how confused ordinary taxpayers are by this ridiculous, irresponsible, intergovernmental spat.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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Tuna was both curious and confused as to why Evelyn dared to leave his side.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Best Times to Visit The best time to visit Nicaragua is between mid-November and April, when the country's delightful dry season brings clear skies, and temperatures are more springlike than sticky.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
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My way of allocating stagehands to a load-out was to write the names down on Post-its, like sticky white things, and put them on their shirts.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Guam has a dry season from January to May and a wet season from July to November.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The broadcast showed McLaren's Lando Norris pass the truck in wet conditions, posing a major safety hazard.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Close on either side were eerie woods flooded with shallow swamp water, the trees’ shaggy trunks festooned with air plants and the occasional ghost orchid.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Mar. 2025
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Natasha Lyonne, who’s back as shaggy amateur detective Charlie Cale, was floored watching Erivo dip in and out of so many roles, which include a DJ, a professor, an artist, and an apple picker.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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