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
Relevance
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
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 sloppy
But things turned for Miami in the third quarter, as the Lakers took advantage of the Heat’s sloppy play to win the period 29-19 and cut the Heat’s 12-point halftime lead to two entering the fourth quarter.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
The fabric is breathable and lightweight without feeling thin or flimsy and the fit is slightly oversized, which gives it a relaxed and casual look that isn’t sloppy.
—Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025
In the week leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, a brief but sloppy food fight broke out between the Trump team and the outgoing Biden administration over who deserves credit for finalizing a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025
Poor giveaways and sloppy play affected the second half, but Clark and Ageymang put the game on ice.
—Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sloppy 
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
The fabric is breathable and lightweight without feeling thin or flimsy and the fit is slightly oversized, which gives it a relaxed and casual look that isn’t sloppy.
—Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2025
In the week leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, a brief but sloppy food fight broke out between the Trump team and the outgoing Biden administration over who deserves credit for finalizing a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025
Poor giveaways and sloppy play affected the second half, but Clark and Ageymang put the game on ice.
—Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
-
The trail from the bay leading to the preserve’s entrance is rough, rocky and messy.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Other Big Stories Image Inside the Murdoch family: Our reporters obtained more than 3,000 pages of documents that reveal betrayals, private messages and a messy court battle over the future of the media empire.—
German Lopez,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The week’s biggest stories A month after L.A. firestorms, essential questions still haunt Southern California The region is still grappling with basic questions about what caused the blazes, why evacuations were so chaotic and whether officials were prepared.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
-
While the transfer was orderly – in contrast to chaotic scenes surrounding the release of Israeli and Thai hostages in Gaza last week – the three appeared thin and pale when they were led onto a makeshift stage.—
Sophie Tanno and Mick Krever,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The opening of the gift was a sentimental moment for more reasons than one.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Memories are attached to sentimental objects as the moon and Mercury harmonize!—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Corruption within the organization, after all, is as much a part of the show as Jackson Lamb’s slovenly habits and horrible diet.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
From there, the show spun outward, presenting a whole cast of shadowy doubles and mysteriously cosmic back doors—during which distance grew between us, the confused audience, and Laura’s death, which had kicked off the entire franchise.—
K. Austin Collins,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The bride was confused at this, and even more taken back by her hostility.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Finish half the wings with Buffalo sauce and the rest with a sticky ginger-soy glaze.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appétit,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The hit dating series promises some drama this season as the trailer shows contestants in some seemingly sticky situations.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The continued wet weather has prompted concerns from officials and residents living in the Eaton fire zone in Altadena and the Palisades fire burn scar in Malibu and Pacific Palisades.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Hairstylist Holli Smith used iPhone chargers to hold a model’s hair at the dark, dystopian, and wet Balenciaga fall 2020 show.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The cropped black faux leather jacket has a shaggy, biscotti brown trim and sleeves.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
-
The London Orbital Motorway, or the M25, is a vast ring road that runs in a shaggy circle around the outer edges of the capital.—
Anna Russell,
The New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to sloppy
Thesaurus Entries Near sloppy
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share