as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the office is still topsy-turvy even though we moved in months ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in haphazard
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of topsy-turvy
Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
The absurdity of his vision matches our topsy-turvy reality.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
The Stags have won five of six in a topsy-turvy MAAC, and have gone from a disappointing season to one with some promise.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Adjective
While the plot ebbs and flows, the central desire to know more, to reach further than anyone has before you, is very relatable—Kuang is a master at work building a topsy-turvy chessboard for readers to play with.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
The absurdity of his vision matches our topsy-turvy reality.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Also starring Roslyn Ruff and Mickey Sumner (as a female Aufidius), the play’s exploration of leadership, honor and the dynamics of power is as relevant as ever in today’s topsy-turvy political landscape.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
The Stags have won five of six in a topsy-turvy MAAC, and have gone from a disappointing season to one with some promise.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
Adjective
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The fan disappointment was echoed in the community dedicated to Barbie on Reddit, where many called out the organizers for such a chaotic event.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The footage captures a chaotic moment many pet owners recognize instantly—when curiosity tips over into trouble.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fact that the President is now signalling a messy retreat has nothing to do with insufficient lethality and everything to do with politics—in particular, the alarm in the global oil markets and the American public’s widespread opposition to the war.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Over beats as blunt, chromatic, and gleefully stupid as a Jeff Koons sculpture, the singer has vied to make hyperpop more garish and alarming by being hornier, messier, and more extreme than her peers.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
My previous shoots had involved haphazardly dragging equipment across town, stopping every few feet to pant.—
Lena Dunham,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Opposite the pump lies a dead body, haphazardly covered with half a sheet of cardboard and encircled by black flies.—
Elena Clavarino,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When the director approached Hanks directly, the actor was confused.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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After catching confused glances all through Venice, traversing neighborhoods and winding along Abbott Kinney, the group landed at the home of Matt Ricotta.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
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Blurring the line between performance and personal crisis, comedian Maria Bamford turns her mental health journey into material that’s riotously funny and ultimately inspiring.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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For six of the last seven years, this franchise has been wandering aimlessly through the wilderness of baseball purgatory.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Alternatively, spend afternoons aimlessly wandering neighborhoods like Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, where small wine bars known as bacari serve local vino and cicchetti (think Venetian tapas like olives, crostini, and arancini).—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This team is inconsistent, sloppy and soft.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Just six of those came in the second half and the Bruins took better care of the ball while running their offense more efficiently, but sloppy play and frustration have flared up despite the Bruins’ veteran leadership.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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