1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
an unkempt and cluttered room
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
the stereotype of the unkempt but brilliant scientist
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Recent Examples of unkempt
Wallace’s bob was poker-straight, whereas Emily’s unkempt, messy waves boast plenty of texture.
—
Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Armed patrols man the streets, where unkempt survivors take jobs burning the dead and cleaning up waste to scrape by.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
His unkempt bedroom is nearly a deal-breaker, as are his clumsy attempts at foreplay.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Armed patrols man the streets, where unkempt survivors take jobs burning the dead and cleaning up waste to scrape by.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
His unkempt bedroom is nearly a deal-breaker, as are his clumsy attempts at foreplay.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for unkempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkempt
Adjective
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Orlando took the helm of the memorial effort in late 2023 amid the messy collapse of the private onePulse foundation.—
Stephen Hudak,
Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2025
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Ever since, Kim and Kroy have gone back and forth, making accusations against one another in the messy proceedings.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The latest: The Cavs looked sloppy and tired at points this week, but still gutted out comeback wins against Miami, Charlotte and Brooklyn.—
Sam Allard,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
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There’s also the possibility that when you get fatigued, your muscles may not be as able to fully support your knee, and your footwork can get sloppier, making the possibility of an awkward twist all the more likely.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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
Adjective
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In early modern Europe, the filthiest trades (such as tanning) were branded nuisances and forced out of cities and closer to those living at society’s margins.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
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The beat is straight up filthy, as are the lyrics, written from the point of view of a seductress who is simultaneously a literal murderer.—
James Factora,
Them,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Where Olive is messy, untidy, and unconcerned about the state of her apartment, Florence is obsessively clean, tidy, and obsessed with hygiene.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Without easy access, harder to reach shelves can get overlooked (and become untidy).—
Jordan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
3 Jan. 2025
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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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
Articles Related to unkempt
Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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