muss 1 of 2

noun

ˈməs How to pronounce muss (audio)
Definition of mussnext
as in mess
a state in which everything is out of order careful planning had eliminated most of the muss that usually accompanies a move to a new house

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

muss

2 of 2

verb

as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of the wind mussed up my hair

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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 muss
Noun
Nineteen even-strength saves, five power-play saves, no muss, no fuss. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026 Zero fuss, zero muss and one terrific choice by the Wildcats. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024
Verb
Weather forecast Your hair’s going to get mussed for your social media posts. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026 Malleable and with a matte finish, when worked through the hair, this white paste keeps flyaways at bay, musses up the ends of short cuts, and sculpts amazing second-day texture. — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muss
  1. mess
  2. disrupt
  3. hell
  4. disturb
  5. havoc
  6. shuffle
  7. jumble
  8. confuse
Noun
  • The coach inherited a mess and wiped the slate clean with 40-plus transfers.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Melting suet turns rancid fast and creates a mess of bird plumage.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of mess
Verb
  • Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • Flying straight from the merry Riverlands into the somber halls of Dragonstone is one hell of a comedown, but Daemon never struggles to access his dark side.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Avery met his wife Sally Michael–a hell of an artist in her own right–in Cape Ann and the couple honeymooned there in 1926 before moving to New York and meeting Gottlieb and Rothko.
    — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of hell
Verb
  • He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
    — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026
  • The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Noun
  • The beloved southern elephant seal, Neil the Seal, is back in Tasmania, causing havoc yet again and garnering fans through his antics.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Those same issues have ships and planes on high alert in the Middle East, and the ongoing conflict across the region is causing havoc for civilian applications like ride-hailing and food delivery.
    — Mariam Sorond, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of havoc
Verb
  • As soon as the game wrapped up, those guests shuffled out, and hours later were replaced by a rowdier group ordering shots at the bar, dancing to 2000s hits in front of the DJ booth and smoking vape pens on the outdoor patio.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Pretoria responded to the threat of violence in June 30 protests with millions of dollars shuffled inside the police budget, tactical units deployed, and soldiers on standby.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of shuffle
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
Verb
  • That is important because a boxy robotaxi that can drive both ways may confuse pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • One of the biggest mistakes students make is confusing a loan approval with an affordability recommendation.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of confuse

Browse Nearby Words

muskrat
muss
mussed
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Cite this Entry

“Muss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muss. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on muss

Nglish: Translation of muss for Spanish Speakers

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