variants
also blowzy
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a large, blowsy woman in frumpy clothes runs the diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 blowsy
Rows of blowsy moss-green cabbages, their thick veins silvered with spider webs, the edges of their tougher outer leaves nibbled by slugs and snails.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
In the final scene, the one female regular at the Royal, a blowsy barfly well played by Barbara Lowing, is moving toward the bar as Hanna and Liv move decisively in the other direction.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
The queen of Playland was Laughing Sal, a tall, blowsy figure of fun, with a maniacal laugh.
—Carl Nolte, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2018
Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
In the final scene, the one female regular at the Royal, a blowsy barfly well played by Barbara Lowing, is moving toward the bar as Hanna and Liv move decisively in the other direction.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
The queen of Playland was Laughing Sal, a tall, blowsy figure of fun, with a maniacal laugh.
—Carl Nolte, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowsy
Adjective
-
At times, Epstein characterized the billionaire’s office as sloppy and amateurish, exposing him to taxes and reputational risks while making sensitive payments.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Heat also ran into its own sloppy play, committing 19 turnovers.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
No one understands or exploits that shaggy zone quite like Bannon.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of head-to-toe fur, designers and showgoers alike favored coats finished with shearling collars or shaggy trim, details that feel easier, lighter, and more wearable.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
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
-
The other near certainty in Lead Actor should be Gary Oldman, who anchors Slow Horses with a slovenly charisma that is, against all odds, deeply watchable.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Tidy outdoor areas where insects and pests tend to hide, such as wood piles, leaf piles, overgrowth, or unkempt landscaping.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Helen gets defensive when those around her express concern about her behavior and her unkempt conditions.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Trusting our usual virtual background on Teams to mask an untidy living room or kitchen table from colleagues.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Inspired by the cognitive dissonance that Joan Didion experienced in Miami, Nick León creates a refreshingly untidy tapestry of the city’s dance music on A Tropical Entropy.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Chris Hemsworth, then, almost as good-looking as GNev himself, with his slightly dowdy brother Luke cast as good old Phil.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
World-renowned for its cashmere, buttery leather, and tailored wool, Italian winter fashion leaves no room for dowdy sweatpants and sweatshirts.—
Nneya Richards,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In this case, that ball happens to be the complex that serves as the symbolic seat of the nation’s vibrant, messy, questioning, deeply political and hugely alive arts and culture scene.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Scuffs and chips will show up quickly, requiring frequent touch-ups that can end up creating messy layers.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blowsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowsy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
