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
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Recent Examples of mess
Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
But although its scorching days and freezing nights certainly live up to the name, Death Valley is still home to an array of plants and wildlife—and the trespassers reportedly made a mess of things.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Just mess with you a little bit.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Noun
Replacing graphic prints, this modern take gives wearers a life-like look without the maintenance or mess that a real flower would require.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
But although its scorching days and freezing nights certainly live up to the name, Death Valley is still home to an array of plants and wildlife—and the trespassers reportedly made a mess of things.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Genetic engineering took his fancy, but Hassan’s father didn’t like the idea of messing with God’s creation.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Just mess with you a little bit.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess
Noun
-
This is about Tom Homan and Greg Bovino and Kristi Noem and all the other immigration officials that have wrought so much unfounded havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Expect Williams and Murphy to wreak similar havoc.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bélanger notes that most midlife women benefit from aiming for about 25 to 35 grams of protein per meal, and choosing meals in that range consistently helps support lean mass and metabolic health.—
Rita Templeton,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Amid a meal of beet salad, mushroom potpie, and chocolate cake, a murder disrupted the convivial proceedings, and the thirty or so guests attempted to suss out the culprit.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Hernando, these sights and smells once belonged to everyday life.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Get an exclusive first look at the sights and sounds to come at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When using the dishwasher or washing machine, run full loads to maximize usage of the water.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The 2026 Super Bowl had loads of celebrities cheering on their favorite team from the VIP boxes—Jay-Z, Kendall Jenner, Saweetie, Rosé, and Travis Scott among them.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their goal with the video was to push back against the president’s domestic troop deployments, a trend his critics feared might lead to clashes with ordinary Americans or be used to interfere in upcoming elections.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hong Kong officials have defended the independence of the local judicial system, which is separate from that of mainland China, and accused foreign governments of interfering in internal affairs.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Having earned degrees in political science and history at Ohio’s Miami University, Nixon was arguably over-qualified to be a roots-rocking, hell-raising provocateur who somehow was embraced by MTV for several years and went on to become the host of several shows on Sirius XM Radio.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
It is said that during Ramadan, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Also available starting Monday are new menu items, including Chocolate Pistachio Loaf and a Dubai Chocolate Bite, a chocolate shortbread crust tart filled with pistachio cream and topped with a chocolate drizzle and pistachio crumbles.—
Mike Snider,
AZCentral.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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New Starbucks pastries hit the menu Starbucks recently added four new beverages to its menu, including Iced Banana Bread Matcha and Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes events dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
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Though Heitor is claimed to be no more harmful than a puppy, there are some moments of fright for Griff who is a little uneasy acting opposite him and at one point panics and tosses him overboard, resulting in Heitor’s gruesome demise.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 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 14 Feb. 2026.
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