mess (up)

verb

Definition of mess (up)next
1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way messed up the drawing and had to start over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
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 to stumble
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 to lick
to strike repeatedly threatened that he would mess him up if he cheated at the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mess (up)
  1. fumble
  2. disrupt
  3. stumble
  4. lick
  5. blow
  6. trip
  7. confuse
  8. hide
Verb
  • By contrast, their opponents have fumbled 21 times, with the Chiefs pouncing on eight of those.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Junior running back Ashton Jeanty fumbled the ball twice — one of those was recovered by the Broncos — en route to falling just short of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Don't go to bed wearing makeup: Wearing makeup overnight can disrupt the skin barrier and trigger oiliness or other skin symptoms.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The phenomenon, which blasts Arctic air across part of North America, can disrupt weather patterns.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • The Packers stumbled down the stretch, losing three of five, including two in a row.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Thomas watches as a naked virgin rides a horse, which is meant to stumble upon reaching the grave of a vampire.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of stumble
Verb
  • Sweet guitar licks snake around Lee’s voice in the original recording.
    David Bauder, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Water collected in green pools that Leone said would sting if a dog stepped in or licked them.
    Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Credit them with winning 10 games although losing three of their last four and blowing a chance to win the ACC championship and get into the playoff put a huge damper on the season.
    Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The December jobs report showed the U.S. economy blowing past expectations to end the year.
    Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The instructions emphasized folks not tripping in their fabulous boots while boarding and on being cool.
    Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
  • And two, space heaters can fall and give you a shock or burn—especially if someone trips over the cord.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of trip
Verb
  • Evans believes a lack of planning is largely to blame for our productivity failures, and warns people not to confuse being busy with being productive.
    Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Penn State’s receivers won’t be confused for an elite group, but tight end Tyler Warren is the top player in the country at that position, and the running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton is one of the nation’s best.
    Antonio Morales, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • At the time, wolves were still considered predatory varmints to be shot from airplanes, trapped and snared for $100 bounty and whatever hides would bring.
    Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Set in a swanky apartment hidden above a cobblestone street, this intimate cooking class teaches you both the simplicity and complexity of Italian pasta.
    Anna Haines, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of hide
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near mess (up)

mess over

mess (up)

mess (with)

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mess (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mess%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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