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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mess
Megan Wallitsch, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Alexander Storozhuk has been sitting in the middle of that mess for roughly 20 years.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Stop messing with Wedgie, already.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
While stunning in the moment, the days and weeks that followed were nothing but a slushy mess.
—Megan Wallitsch, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Alexander Storozhuk has been sitting in the middle of that mess for roughly 20 years.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Rock Hall just messed this one up.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Stop messing with Wedgie, already.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The actors ate boxed meals, and the Chinese crew surprised them with a large vanilla cake.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Sift in the flour, almond meal and baking powder.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The astronauts also witnessed sights of the moon's far side never seen with the unaided eye during a historic lunar flyby April 6.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The sight of a fit-again Chris Wood leading the line is a welcome relief to Forest fans for the run-in, scoring their second goal in what was only his second Premier League start since October.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Engineers can simulate movements, loads, and environmental conditions before real deployment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
However, there are moments of reprieve between loads of clothes, sheets, and towels.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Castle shoved Avdija back before referees and players from both teams interfered.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
When officers attempted to have Michael Barrientes Vela back away, his brothers interfered.—
Gabriella Ybarra,
San Antonio Express-News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This autumn, though, the feminist alt-rock icons are finally giving us one hell of a sonic supernova.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But, this specific adaptation could be equally advantaged by presenting an imagined hell within our lesser, present one.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Books about books, garments from Paloma Wool and Kiko Kostadinov, and trinket-y accessories are just the start, so grab an Americano or homemade cookie from its café menu to aid in your journey.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
What pulls me to Pann’s is a subtler Southern thread running through its menu.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 1390 Super Duke RR is leaner and better appointed for handling than the regular Super Duke R, and is sure to give your insurer a proper fright.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Dark, eerie, and paranoid (for good reason), the eight-episode season shifts back and forth from the casual grimness of an unwelcoming reality to the shocking frights of a stoner’s worst nightmare (the latter of which is shrewdly motivated by Rachel regularly smoking pot).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Mar. 2026
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 1 May. 2026.
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