1
as in fumbled
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 disrupted
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 stumbled
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 licked
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 messed (up)
Verb
-
After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall.—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025 -
Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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The Ice Age mammals, which should not be confused with the larger woolly mammoths, seemed to have an had an affinity for Orange County, where this one — and about a third of the state’s total — have been found.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out the anticipatory purr of two ambulance engines idling nearby.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Fieri’s tenders are wide and flat, resembling pounded and breaded chicken cutlets.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For more on Marvel Rivals, our in-depth guides cover the best Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist characters, which are due to get shuffled thanks to the arrival of the new heroes.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
6 Jan. 2025
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Analysts at Mizuho shuffled up its top picks in a note Monday.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The charge relates to Chelsea’s protests to referee John Brooks after his decision to award Ipswich a 10th-minute penalty, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen judged to have tripped Liam Delap.—
Callum Davis,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
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The volunteer saw the 4-year-old run past Shin again, and Shin stuck her left foot out and tripped him, the affidavit said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American-Statesman,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In at least four of the heists, the thieves threatened their victim with a gun; one victim was pistol whipped, cops said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
23 Dec. 2024
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At the final whistle, James ran onto the field and whipped a towel through the air.—
Thuc Nhi Nguyen,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Her defense has raised the possibility that someone else beat him to death and left him in the cold.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Her decision to turn down the Apple beat at the Journal in 2007, the year the iPhone was released, in order to pursue an M.F.A. in fiction propels an exploration of how much human creativity depends on the ideas and labor of others.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Messed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messed%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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