1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
messed up the drawing and had to start over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
a nap had messed up her hair and she looked a sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
if anyone messes up even once while we're recording, we have to start all over again
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
threatened that he would mess him up if he cheated at the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess (up)
Verb
-
My manuscript was finally being read by editors, who responded with almost-wins — an overtime pass, fumbled.—
Tara Dorabji,
People.com,
16 Jan. 2025 -
Gone are the days of fumbling with cords and adapters—this smart board simplifies connectivity to keep your focus on what matters most.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Amyloid plaques accumulate between neurons, disrupting communication and leading to memory loss and cognitive decline, while tau tangles accumulate inside neurons, disrupting their normal function and leading to neuronal death.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
-
While many organizations prioritize technology, additional areas outside the technological realm can disrupt security capabilities and affect vulnerability management.—
Dewayne Hart,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Packers stumbled down the stretch, losing three of five, including two in a row.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Thomas watches as a naked virgin rides a horse, which is meant to stumble upon reaching the grave of a vampire.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
If pets do go outside, Aitken recommended wiping their paws with a wet towel or baby wipes to ensure any soot is removed, to stop them from licking it off.—
John Mac Ghlionn,
Newsweek,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Wipe paws off after walking outdoors with a wet washcloth or baby wipes to prevent pets from licking soot off of their feet after coming inside.—
Geoffrey Eisler,
ABC News,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Credit them with winning 10 games although losing three of their last four and blowing a chance to win the ACC championship and get into the playoff put a huge damper on the season.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
-
The enormity of the destruction emerges Earlier in the week, hurricane-force winds blew embers, that ignited hillsides.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Trail Cam Revolution Modern trail cams started appearing in the 1980s with the advent of motion sensors that could trip a camera shutter.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Zach Werenski, who has been one of the NHL’s elite performers this season, simply tripped while all alone carrying the puck up the ice on the power play.—
Aaron Portzline,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Evans believes a lack of planning is largely to blame for our productivity failures, and warns people not to confuse being busy with being productive.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Penn State’s receivers won’t be confused for an elite group, but tight end Tyler Warren is the top player in the country at that position, and the running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton is one of the nation’s best.—
Antonio Morales,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Asked about his identity and to provide authorization, Deng tried to hide his equipment and flee, prompting the officials to take him and his companions into custody.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
-
When Hamas chose to go to ground inside Gaza and hide among its people, Israel followed it down, leveling the territory and its population to get at its enemy.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Jan. 2025
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.
Articles Related to mess (up)
Thesaurus Entries Near mess (up)
Cite this Entry
“Mess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20%28up%29. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share