1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
an unkempt and cluttered room
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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.
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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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Think: Date nights, birthdays, team outings — anyone looking for a creative outlet who doesn't mind getting a little messy.McKenzie Rankin, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
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Entanglement gets messy To probe the inner structure of protons, scientists looked at high-energy particle collisions that have occurred in facilities like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The word out of Arizona is that Kingsbury’s Cardinals teams were too often sloppy and undisciplined and that his full-team leadership skills and oversight have been lacking.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
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In the unreliable reality the older Owen inhabits, his favorite childhood show was in fact silly, sloppy, and decidedly low-stakes.Samantha Allen, Them, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Republican lawmakers called the chaotic exit one of the darkest moments of Biden's administration.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
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Streets pulse with music, laughter, and a packed calendar of events, creating an electric atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors into one joyous and chaotic rhythm.Joyce Onuorah, Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Continue on with Banana Republic’s shaggy knit cardigan, a pair of knee-high boots from Jeffrey Campbell, and finally, H&M’s leopard-print ’90s bag.Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
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And there's an endearingly shaggy side to this film, all the more shocking given its then-record cost.Darren Franich, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the earlier seasons of the show, characters were often filthy, caked with dirt and blood, clothes tattered.Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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My father was living alone in that dark, filthy room like an old animal wallowing in its own excrement.Lee Chang-dong, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Without easy access, harder to reach shelves can get overlooked (and become untidy).Jordan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 3 Jan. 2025
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The incongruity between Buckley’s lapidary political views and his untidy appearance was simply too much for the letter writer to square.Andrew Ferguson, National Review, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The daughter of Palestinian immigrants to America, Arabella is both confused and demanding.Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article Zach LaVine’s teammates are confused.Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 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
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Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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