shambles 1 of 2

plural noun

ˈsham-bəlz How to pronounce shambles (audio)
Definition of shamblesnext
1
as in dump
a dirty or messy place this room is a shambles—clean it up right now!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mess
a state in which everything is out of order the earthquake left the whole town in a shambles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shambles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shamble
as in shuffles
to move heavily or clumsily disconsolate and exhausted after losing the match, the wrestler shambled toward the locker room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shambles
  1. shuffles
  2. stumbles
  3. stomps
Verb
  • As though on cue, Wardrobe — my beloved, and giant, closet — shuffles over from the corner of my room, the mahogany wood groaning with the effort.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
  • As the entire Qatar back line shuffles closer to the goal, Jonathan David drops off towards the penalty spot to receive the cross in space and shoot first time.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of shuffles
Verb
  • In the first, a quick history tour revisits how bad Minions have been in their quest to find villains to serve, until one group lands in 1920s Hollywood and stumbles into stardom.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 7 July 2026
  • After a chance meeting saving the life of a reporter, Dez stumbles across a vast conspiracy and now must stop the forces intent on keeping their secrets safe.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of stumbles
Verb
  • If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.
    — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Suddenly, the trees part and a Tyrannosaurus rex stomps into view.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Definition of stomps
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Shambles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shambles. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shambles

Nglish: Translation of shambles for Spanish Speakers

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