topsy-turvy 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of topsy-turvynext
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness the office is still topsy-turvy even though we moved in months ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

topsy-turvy

2 of 2

adverb

as in haphazard

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 topsy-turvy
Adjective
While the plot ebbs and flows, the central desire to know more, to reach further than anyone has before you, is very relatable—Kuang is a master at work building a topsy-turvy chessboard for readers to play with. — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025 The absurdity of his vision matches our topsy-turvy reality. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Make the topsy-turvy Tony experience this year part of the fun, and give us chaos this Sunday, please. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026 The sixth inning was the most crucial frame of a topsy-turvy game that was poised to be high-scoring from the start. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for topsy-turvy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for topsy-turvy
  1. chaotic
  2. haphazardly
  3. messy
  4. riotously
  5. confused
  6. aimlessly
  7. littered
  8. tumultuously
Adjective
  • Interview with the Vampire’s composer Daniel Hart has taken the audience on a wonderfully chaotic journey through different styles of music in The Vampire Lestat.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • The events surrounding the funeral were chaotic, with eight people killed and hundreds injured, according to a report written by the Associated Press news agency at the time.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adverb
  • Others may mismanage their finances, spending investment funds haphazardly without building reserves or planning for future funding rounds, also resulting in failure.
    — Dmitrii Khasanov, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Towel Bars Towel bars can easily look sloppy once a few towels have been haphazardly hung on them.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 20 June 2026
Definition of haphazardly
Adjective
  • Entrepreneurship or a portfolio of roles feels messier than earning a regular salary because the risk is more visible.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Many real texts from family members are short, rushed and a little messy.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of messy
Adverb
  • The theater is known for goofy, campy, original musical theater shows that riotously riff on fairy tales, folklore, TV shows and other familiar cultural tropes.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026
  • Amid all the riotously vibrant production design and uniquely wide shots made possible by custom Panavision lenses, most of Riley’s themes are fairly accessible.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Definition of riotously
Adjective
  • In Timon, by contrast, everything is a rush, everything is broke-off and confused, everything is hurtling through suffering towards oblivion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But when non-negotiable tasks are framed as questions, children can become confused about whether the task is actually optional.
    — Siggie Cohen, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Definition of confused
Adverb
  • Humans aren’t a definitive host for the worms, and they become destined to aimlessly wander through our meat sacks.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • The data shows that the whale likely drifted aimlessly after that — or the transmitter's signal was lost, Backhaus said Friday during a news conference.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Definition of aimlessly
Adjective
  • In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.
    — Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of littered
Adverb
  • Rob and White were engaged in 2016 before tumultuously calling it quits in 2017.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
  • The decade ended tumultuously, with the Osmond family’s fortune drained by a series of swindlers and grifters.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of tumultuously

Browse Nearby Words

topsoils
topsy-turvy
toque
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Topsy-turvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/topsy-turvy. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of topsy-turvy for Spanish Speakers

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