slovenly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈslə-vən-lē How to pronounce slovenly (audio)
Definition of slovenlynext
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person for the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to slovenly rockers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slovenly

2 of 2

adverb

ˈslə-vən-lē How to pronounce slovenly (audio)
as in sloppily
in a careless or unfashionable manner an employee who went overboard on dress-down day and was reprimanded for dressing slovenly on the job

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 slovenly
Adjective
To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025 To them, flame is slovenly, backward, even atavistic, tolerable only when used for ceremonial purposes. — Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Adverb
It’s cropped with puffy sleeves that land at or above the wrist instead of hanging slovenly over your hands. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slovenly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slovenly
  1. sloppy
  2. sloppily
  3. wrinkled
  4. chaotically
  5. shaggy
  6. unkempt
  7. untidy
  8. messy
Adjective
  • England looked disjointed and sloppy for much of the first half, while Congo was bright and creative with the ball and held England at bay defensively.
    — Bailey Johnson, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • The regulars were middle-aged men who routinely drank five or six cocktails after work and were only rarely sloppy.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adverb
  • Off the ensuing kick, the Mexicans sloppily turned the ball over after Anthony Gordon made a strong challenge to knock the ball loose.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • After one match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2021, when City had won 1-0 but had played sloppily in the final minutes, Guardiola bellowed at the subs and youth teamers who had not actually contributed.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Definition of sloppily
Adjective
  • Participants with wet but non-wrinkled fingers required significantly more force to maintain the same hold; their hands were working harder to do less.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of wrinkled
Adverb
  • Atop the Go board there lies a compass whose dials swing chaotically.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
  • And flying chaotically around the room was a small bat.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of chaotically
Adjective
  • Two years later, Swift pushed the bounds of her beauty yet again, pairing a white, deep V-cut gown with a shaggy bob.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • In most respects the man was unremarkable, just another shaggy head of hair in a sea of skater-boy business casual.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of shaggy
Adjective
  • The historic property has been vacant and unkempt since 2015.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026
  • Keep It Clean An unkempt shower curtain can make your bathroom appear dingy.
    — Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2026
Definition of unkempt
Adjective
  • Weeds And Neglected Maintenance Nothing makes a garden look untidy faster than weeds.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • In the living room, a pilot rearranges an untidy study desk.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Definition of untidy
Adjective
  • Entrepreneurship or a portfolio of roles feels messier than earning a regular salary because the risk is more visible.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Many real texts from family members are short, rushed and a little messy.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of messy

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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of slovenly for Spanish Speakers

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