1
as in fumbles
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 disrupts
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 stumbles
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 licks
to strike repeatedly
threatened that he would mess him up if he cheated at the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messes (up)
Verb
-
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026 -
If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Going to bed and waking at wildly different times disrupts circadian rhythm even when total hours look adequate on paper.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
-
This cycle disrupts weather patterns globally, including in Chicago.—
David Yeomans,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Set during the summer of 1975, Sessa stars as a 19-year-old Bourdain who travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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After an embarrassing encounter — Wells, working as a janitor, stumbles upon Graham naked in the locker room — the two make an arrangement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
For good measure, Marty Supreme actress Odessa A’zion literally licks the face of the Stones frontman, who in real life is 82 years old.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Thirty years later, that daughter walks into a therapist’s office — and blows the cover off a landmine she was never meant to touch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Nobody ever confuses two white NASCAR drivers!—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
The odor masks the scent of animals' preferred vegetables and confuses insect pests, including aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms and loopers, spider mites, thrips, and Japanese beetles.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Most trips depart from the Florida Keys.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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His assistant coaches lift him, swarm him, and someone trips.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Her silver nail polish—reminiscent of the shade worn by Lou Reed (from one New York legend to another) in footage shown during Todd Haynes’s documentary The Velvet Underground—sparkles as Gaga pounds the keys of her piano throughout the film.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
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That game enabled the younger brother to mentally shift from a pitcher prone to walks to a pitcher who now consistently pounds the zone.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Messes (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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