as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
the quilt was a higgledy-piggledy patchwork of odd-shaped fabric scraps, each of which held a fond memory for the family
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in topsy-turvy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of higgledy-piggledy
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
Elsbeth volunteers to stay at his schmancy, higgledy-piggledy Asian-fusion wellness center to continue the investigation.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
The oft wild, higgledy-piggledy marketing of so many strains, preparations and products has lead to an erosion of meaning for the customer base.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Instead of obsessing over the latest higgledy-piggledy, do something useful.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
Go local in Tokyo Courtesy of Trunk Hotels Hidden in the higgledy-piggledy lanes of Tokyo’s Kagurazaka district (also known as ‘Little Kyoto’), Trunk(House) helps its guests experience the city in a way few other hotels can.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2023
Adverb
Instead of obsessing over the latest higgledy-piggledy, do something useful.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
Elsbeth volunteers to stay at his schmancy, higgledy-piggledy Asian-fusion wellness center to continue the investigation.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
The oft wild, higgledy-piggledy marketing of so many strains, preparations and products has lead to an erosion of meaning for the customer base.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Instead of obsessing over the latest higgledy-piggledy, do something useful.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024
Go local in Tokyo Courtesy of Trunk Hotels Hidden in the higgledy-piggledy lanes of Tokyo’s Kagurazaka district (also known as ‘Little Kyoto’), Trunk(House) helps its guests experience the city in a way few other hotels can.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for higgledy-piggledy
Adjective
-
Felix, a neat freak, moves in with his messy best friend Oscar following his divorce, and their relationship is put to the test — and then some.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
25 May 2025
-
There, Parker stuck to her middle part, messy waves and played with pattern clashing, wearing a button-up, floral midi dress under a turquoise jacket decoarted in white polka dots.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
Adverb
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When Alice tumbles into Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat warns her that everyone in this topsy-turvy new world is mad — including Alice herself.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Given the Australian collective’s live reputation and topsy-turvy circumstances over the past decade, that pledge carried considerable weight.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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The 2021 withdrawal was unacceptably chaotic and bloody, the takeover by the Taliban shameful, but that war is now over.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
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No dogs will be allowed because Matthews didn’t want dogs’ first experience at the facility to be chaotic and filled with stress.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Photos showed the group seemingly confused about what was happening during the moment.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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The audio proves otherwise as the recordings show Biden was confused, rambling, and couldn’t even remember when his son Beau died.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
Adverb
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Drake’s personal hotline was ringing off the hook this week after his phone number was accidentally leaked during a livestream — and the 6 God took it all in stride.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 May 2025
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North Myrtle Beach police also responded to the shooting Sunday night, and one of their officers accidentally shot himself in the leg while arriving at the scene, the department said on Facebook.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Higgledy-piggledy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/higgledy-piggledy. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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