messes 1 of 2

plural of mess
1
2
3
as in horrors
something unpleasant to look at the car was a mess after the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in loads
a considerable amount an unexpected Super Bowl loss that unleashed a whole mess of finger-pointing and second-guessing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

messes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of mess

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 messes
Noun
Steam cleaning works best for fresh spills and light messes, making cleanup easier. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Typically, PAs are putting in 60-hour workweeks, and their duties can include everything from running errands to cleaning up messes to managing the general public when filming takes place in a location and impedes foot or car traffic. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 The messes are bigger, and Joe’s mop and bucket just won’t cut it. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 Perfect for stashing in lunch boxes, the convenient squeezable pouches help keep messes to a minimum. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026 The organization, which is responsible for cleaning up the messes after superhero battles, has something that Jean wants locked inside a vault. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026 Droves of shoppers just bought this over-door organizer that maximizes storage space without taking up a ton of room, and another lot of customers went after this lightweight cordless vacuum that doubles as a handheld for floor-to-ceiling messes. Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Make sure to do this over the sink or outside to prevent messes! Nicole Harris, Parents, 18 July 2026 According to Knoll, this tool alone may remove up to 90% of messes. Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
Verb
Ships, like airplanes, are designed with fluid dynamics in mind, and biofoul seriously messes that up. David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 From pet hair to crumbs, this Shark handheld cordless vacuum cleaner can tackle messes large and small, thanks to strong suction and a self-cleaning brush that resists pet hair accumulation. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026 Like that series, this movie messes with your mind by taking full advantage of creepy backroom spaces. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 May 2026 When Kristi tells her this place messes with your mind, Mari tells her this is different. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 But pollen also messes with sleep, ups the risk of sinus infections, causes people to miss school and work, and can pose more serious dangers. Keerti Gopal, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026 This rug can stand up to all your pets’ messes with its durable fibers that are easy to spot-clean. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026 The latter may be tied to iron deficiency from irregular periods, plus the drop in estrogen, which messes with the dopamine activity that regulates muscle control. Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Mar. 2026 Each has a meltdown worthy of a telenovela, messes with the crime scene and hours later the police are called. Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for messes
Noun
  • Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
    Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There will still be free breakfast for elementary schools and K-8 centers, and 121 schools will continue to offer free meals to all students.
    Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • An adjoining dining area alongside a cozy fireplace was where the family reconnected during morning and evening meals.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • While Nikki is freed from Bear’s original wish, she’s left with all of the horrors that came from it — including the deaths of her friends, by her hands.
    Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The institute Asher works for has used AI to tap into the memories of the oldest living creatures on earth (the giant sea turtle), unearthing testimony of the long history of mankind’s horrors.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The finding challenges earlier computer models that predict how nuclear fusion reactor materials handle extreme thermal loads.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For everyday loads of shirts, pants and towels, that’s more than enough.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But as China’s 2018 detention of two Canadian citizens after Canada arrested a Huawei executive showed, the party readily interferes in the legal system when important interests are at stake.
    Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s when to watch and how to catch the best views before bright moonlight interferes.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • The Avici hell is the lowest and most terrible level of the eight hot hells of Buddhism, where those who’ve committed serious crimes (like parricide) must face constant suffering.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • Smith stays largely mum on the news of the day, be that Kirk’s killing, or ICE raids, or whatever hells await in the coming weeks.
    Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • For families Apart from the family-sized villa estates and kid-friendly menus, Nihi has a host of activities that will please even the youngest beach bums.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Taco Bell attract budget-conscious consumers without resorting to blanket discounting across their menus.
    Savyata Mishra, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • With the world operating at full capacity once more, these ever-popular sights have seen a massive influx of visitors in recent years.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Eskom, now sitting with surplus energy, has set its sights on data centers as a new source of customers.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Messes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/messes. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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