1
as in messy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
dumped the papers in a sloppy pile on the desk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a cinematic romance with a sloppy musical score that will have audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
The Marlins were sloppy early, committing two fielding errors (by left fielder Stowers and pitcher Anthony Bender).
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
But the draftsmanship is sloppy, which is fitting for a Board that struggles with governance.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
But most of the juxtapositions are vague and sloppy.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
The Loch Haven Park museum will get sloppy on May 9 and 10.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
But the draftsmanship is sloppy, which is fitting for a Board that struggles with governance.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
But most of the juxtapositions are vague and sloppy.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
The Loch Haven Park museum will get sloppy on May 9 and 10.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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But even chips are absent from the formal agenda because the politics are too messy.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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Just to make things even messier and more over-plotted, Sylvie notices a light on for five days straight in an upper-floor apartment, reporting to the cops her concern that the old man who lives there might have died.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Summa’s 1982 snapshot of a stage diver at a Circle Jerks concert in Reseda is among the best examples of punk’s live and chaotic energy.—
Siran Babayan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Instead, Tuesday‘s finale is shaping up to be one of the state’s most chaotic primary elections in decades.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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The performance also closed out the show, which was a star-studded, sentimental, and humorous send-off.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2026
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Such incidents serve as a stark reminder why storage facilities generally advise against storing valuable or sentimental items in a storage unit when possible.—
Kody Boye,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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And this is where the movie takes off from retro mythology to become its own slovenly mod thing.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Indeed, Mary Hartman was a confused—and confusing—protagonist for a country in the midst of second-wave feminism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Lawsuits have been filed in response and some, including Cassidy and Fleming, warn the move is leaving voters confused.—
Gaby Vinick,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
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If a creature is small enough to swallow and not spiny or sticky or otherwise resists Yoshi's tongue, it will be turned into a green egg that's the series standard.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Inside, filthy soldiers press up against the wood.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
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Baker said while Fike's immediate surroundings were filthy, a brand-new hospital bed, urinal and wheelchair were available at the home.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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