1
as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
the bachelor party had left the house in a total mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meal
food eaten or prepared for eating at one time
a mess of oatmeal
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in loads
a considerable amount
an unexpected Super Bowl loss that unleashed a whole mess of finger-pointing and second-guessing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to interfere
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
please don't mess with me while I'm trying to concentrate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mess
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The controversy over the mess the Justice Department has made of the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams is about to intensify.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025
Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
Relying on skills developed as a federal agent with the postal inspection service, a natural ability for calculated problem solving, and a truck with all manner of useful stuff, Carter messes things up.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
But the film is a total mess, start to finish: a mishmash of It and some military-thriller, monster-movie clichés culminating in a junky special-effects ending that barely makes sense.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The controversy over the mess the Justice Department has made of the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams is about to intensify.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Almost all these variants messed a little too much with the careful balance of simplicity, readability, reasoning, and luck that made the original Minesweeper so addictive.
—Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
Relying on skills developed as a federal agent with the postal inspection service, a natural ability for calculated problem solving, and a truck with all manner of useful stuff, Carter messes things up.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
Grant consistently gets into the backfield as a two-technique player, creating havoc on rushing downs.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The side chat, though, was all about the email invitation, which had inspired dozens of famous recipients to not just reply but reply-all, causing inbox havoc among the publishing and comedy elite.—
Paula Aceves,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Picture an individual without permanent housing who can now use this AI service to arrange meal pick-ups at a car wash and find affordable medication.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
At least from a human-health point of view, that’s arguably the worst meal a mosquito could pick: Birds are some of the best hosts and multipliers of disease.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Trefil notes that this type of observation is like tracking the moon by its influence on the tides, which remains constant even if the moon is not in sight.—
Brian Handwerk,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Mar. 2025
-
So, the soft, warm light during the golden hours enhances the vibrant colors of the red rock formations without a cloud in sight.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
It was made clear that Zapata could not interfere in any way except for delivering a count or calling for the bell.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Five months after Donald Trump moved into the White House in 2017, a reporter asked Vladimir Putin about the allegations that Russia had interfered in U.S. elections.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Good Place aired on NBC for four seasons starting in 2016 and featured myriad twists and turns, principally with what the stars thought to be heaven turning out to be hell.—
Dana Rose Falcone,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Players are corporate workers in what is basically hell.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This dinner is one of many gathering events for SAVOR Charlotte, which includes special menus and interactive culinary demonstrations across the city.—
Kayleigh Ruller,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Shake Shack is just one of many buzzy upgrades Delta is making to its in-flight menus this season.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Objects are often askew and out of frame, and everyday sounds like a toilet flush or blinds being pulled assume a low, staticky growl, as though frights fueled by childish imagination.—
Gayle Sequeira,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
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In a second Instagram Stories post, the singer offered another look at the cake, featuring a large bust of a clicker, the fungal zombie-esque frights from the Last of Us video game franchise and HBO series of the same name.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
That day, Roberts praised what Counsell’s deal would mean for the market for managers throughout the sport.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Historically, these deals wouldn’t warrant that level of financial scrutiny, yet more buyers are insisting on them.—
Ryan Hutchins,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Video
Hot Mess
Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings
Cite this Entry
“Mess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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