messiness

noun

Definition of messinessnext
as in mess
a state in which everything is out of order a professional chef would not tolerate such messiness in the kitchen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 messiness The fight sequences have an engaging messiness, the characters often fumbling around rather than delivering expert moves. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 One imagines Dahl, whose sometimes monstrous characters captured childhood in all its messiness, would be relieved. — Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 This collection does not beautify quotidian messiness but shows us how love celebrates our imperfections. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 We were immediately drawn to Rick Donald’s sharp, heartfelt comedy about the messiness of family and being forced to grow up. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 The result was an album that turned the intimate messiness of Winehouse’s life into something both musically timeless and culturally seismic. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 Those who are furthest away from owning the messiness of implementation, are more likely to feel the matter is settled. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 Crowley suggests the messiness of the primary is because the President is messing with Democrats’ heads. — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messiness
  1. mess
  2. chaos
  3. jumble
  4. havoc
  5. confusion
  6. hell
Noun
  • In the city of Hurricane in far southwestern Utah, a shipping container drifting down a street gave way Friday to a mess of mud and debris to be cleaned up as people who had evacuated earlier in the week returned home.
    — MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • General manager Les Snead is also culpable for this mess of a season, trading for Myles Garrett, who has done absolutely zero for this team.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading ⦠WAKE-UP CALL â France's riot chaos fuels warning that mass immigration failures could haunt another country.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of chaos
Noun
  • Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of jumble
Noun
  • Lignel began conversations with the gallery in 2008 as a recession wrought havoc upon the New York art market and the global economy.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Lucas Calderon, owner of Holy Crab, a Coral Gables seafood business that specializes in stone crab home delivery, recalls the havoc Milton wrought on the industry.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • Almeida said Election Day confusion is possible in some precincts but the nature of the threat requires a collective effort.
    — STEVE PEOPLES, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Lula’s victory followed confusion at polling places after Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered a last-minute, two-hour extension of voting nationwide.
    — David Unsworth , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • The careerist has also made life hell for Erika and her family.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Time is running out for a Republican Party led astray by a president whose treacherous behavior mimics those assigned to the lowest level of Dante’s hell.
    — Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hell

Browse Nearby Words

messily
messiness
messing
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Cite this Entry

“Messiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messiness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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