1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
I can never find anything in this untidy office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
neighbors gossiped about the woman's rumpled and untidy children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of untidy
Palermo is as untidy as life and as temperamental as a Sicilian lover.
—
Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
Life unfolds in its untidy way, and tests commitments.
—Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
Bad parents of their own extended childhoods, struggling with the second, or third, act of untidy lives.
—Nick Bowlin, Harper's Magazine, 24 Mar. 2024
In a growing number of schools, days are marked by strict routines and detentions for minor infractions, like forgetting a pencil case or having an untidy uniform.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for untidy 
Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
Life unfolds in its untidy way, and tests commitments.
—Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
Bad parents of their own extended childhoods, struggling with the second, or third, act of untidy lives.
—Nick Bowlin, Harper's Magazine, 24 Mar. 2024
In a growing number of schools, days are marked by strict routines and detentions for minor infractions, like forgetting a pencil case or having an untidy uniform.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for untidy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untidy
Adjective
-
Biology is complex and messy, and often defies easy categorization.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The couple split in 2023 with the dispute expanding over the following year into a messy and public ordeal.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The fabric is breathable and lightweight without feeling thin or flimsy and the fit is slightly oversized, which gives it a relaxed and casual look that isn’t sloppy.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
-
In the week leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, a brief but sloppy food fight broke out between the Trump team and the outgoing Biden administration over who deserves credit for finalizing a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The series shows what life is really like for the Baldwins — chaotic, funny, exhausting and filled with love.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Jan. 2025
-
The playful jab sets a humorous tone for what’s sure to be a chaotic day of competition and drama.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Most wine lovers know that the word Sauvignon comes from the French word sauvage and the word blanc simply means white, but most people don’t know the reason is because when untrained vines of the variety have a distinctly unkempt appearance.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2024
-
But, as in these United States, the key question remains whether creeping totalitarianism — from the left and the right — will squeeze everyday people out of their inalienable right to just be their sometimes obnoxious, unkempt, idiosyncratic selves.—
Ed Wallace,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2024
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Those friends are now left angry, confused and with a stinging loss.—
Ellen Moynihan,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Many customers are confused about high-yield savings Confusion abounds.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Lamine Yamal’s filthy turn for the second goal (above) let football shine through the politics for a second.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
-
In the earlier seasons of the show, characters were often filthy, caked with dirt and blood, clothes tattered.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to untidy
Thesaurus Entries Near untidy
Cite this Entry
“Untidy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untidy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share