mixed up; mixing up; mixes up
1
: to mistakenly think that (someone or something) is someone or something else : confuse
mixed the twins up
mixed up the times for the meetings
2
: to mistakenly put (something) in a place where something else should be
mixed up the two files
3
: to cause (someone) to be involved in a usually dangerous or improper activity
—usually used as (be/get) mixed up in
got mixed up in an illegal scheme
4
: to cause (someone) to become involved with usually bad or dangerous people
Examples of mix up in a Sentence
Noun
there was a mix-up at the airport and our luggage was accidentally sent to Ohio
Recent Examples on the Web
Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
People sometimes accidentally mix up their medications or take a higher dose than necessary.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
The final text explains a possible reason behind the mix-up, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mix up
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.
Verb
In free agency, their focus on partially rebuilding the offensive line after an uncharacteristic 2025 season, plus mixing up their run game (running back David Montgomery was traded to Houston) was clear.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
People sometimes accidentally mix up their medications or take a higher dose than necessary.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
Patience demonstrates care and prevents avoidable mix-ups.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
The final text explains a possible reason behind the mix-up, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mix up
Cite this Entry
“Mix up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mix%20up. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
