1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
an unkempt and cluttered room
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2
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person
the stereotype of the unkempt but brilliant scientist
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Recent Examples of unkempt
Wallace’s bob was poker-straight, whereas Emily’s unkempt, messy waves boast plenty of texture.
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Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Armed patrols man the streets, where unkempt survivors take jobs burning the dead and cleaning up waste to scrape by.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
His unkempt bedroom is nearly a deal-breaker, as are his clumsy attempts at foreplay.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for unkempt 
Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Armed patrols man the streets, where unkempt survivors take jobs burning the dead and cleaning up waste to scrape by.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2023
Oh, there's the unkempt west side near Red Bank Avenue, known as the Thickets, where those seeking or selling drugs can sometimes be found after dark, and where there's the occasional mugging, but the Thickets is only three acres of 740.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023
His unkempt bedroom is nearly a deal-breaker, as are his clumsy attempts at foreplay.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for unkempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkempt
Adjective
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As someone who’s trying to clear out space on their bar cart, having a ton of bottles to make one drink isn’t fun and can also just be messy.Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
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In recent years, former top officials in NASA’s human-spaceflight program have taken jobs at SpaceX. In the meantime, though, more SpaceX flights—and more power for Musk—could be messy, or even dangerous.Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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That’s one of the lessons these Rams, especially the younger ones, can take away from this sloppy experience.Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
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In a sloppy game that included 21 penalties between the teams, the Bears got in the end zone just once — their only offensive touchdown of the first two weeks.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Having studied the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election, both were now eying plans to disrupt each of the procedural steps between Election Day and the Inauguration, such as the December 11th deadline for each state to ascertain a winner, and the December 17th meeting of each state’s electors.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
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The chaotic summer of George Floyd protests, violent crime, and COVID-19 lockdowns are increasingly associated with the Left, even if Trump was president at the time.W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Sofia’s haircut is an early sign of her rebellion; a shaggy mullet that calls back to Jane Fonda in the 1970s thriller Klute.Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
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Style insiders are going all in on the look, too; fashion month’s crowds were awash in brushed knits, and New Yorkers of all stripes have pulled out their shaggiest jumpers as sweater weather has descended upon the city.Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Keepin’ Tabs Hey speaking of Google, the company also announced some good news for all of us filthy browser tab hoarders.Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2024
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At the same time, this is a movie about a woman who begins craving raw meat, grows a few extra nipples, and wakes up every morning filthy from running around in the dirt all night.Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Eagle-eyed social media users had spotted the editing over the untidy suits of the country’s top officials.Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2024
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Palermo is as untidy as life and as temperamental as a Sicilian lover.Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024
Adjective
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While some people feel like their vote won't make a difference, many others are simply exhausted—and in some cases alienated or confused—by our political environment.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
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That left a lot of Swifties sad, confused and wandering around, trying to find the bracelet sent from New Orleans.Arika Herron, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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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
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To them, flame is slovenly, backward, even atavistic, tolerable only when used for ceremonial purposes.Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkempt. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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