as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
having a messy room is virtually de rigueur for a college student
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of messy
The sets had their ups and downs: some of the improvisations were gorgeous, but the more composed elements felt messy.
—
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But as stocks continued to sell off, things got messy.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
The ethical lines are blurry and the decision-making is messy, but totally thrilling.
—Annabel Gutterman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
When eating crawfish, don't fret about getting messy.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But as stocks continued to sell off, things got messy.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
The ethical lines are blurry and the decision-making is messy, but totally thrilling.
—Annabel Gutterman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
When eating crawfish, don't fret about getting messy.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for messy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messy
Adjective
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But one wild, dare-we-say chaotic month can change things, and the Pirates wouldn’t mind following Detroit’s blueprint.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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The latter are chaotic galaxies that lack a distinct shape, and are low in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium — akin to galaxies from the early universe.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Had the veteran made sloppy errors or been at blame for any goals conceded, Farke would have been left with nowhere else to turn.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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During Nebraska’s run, Cardenas endured an uncharacteristic sloppy spell, turning over the ball six times in the first half.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Harris emphasizes nothing has yet changed but customers remain confused as to the status of the incentive and Harbinger’s IRA Risk Free Guarantee was created to mitigate that confusion.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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And while my four rides in Waymo's Jaguar i-Pace vehicles around Los Angeles last summer didn't feature any such fits of indecisiveness, the cars have had their own confused moments.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messy. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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