Definitions

catawampus

[kat-uh-wom-puhs] / ˌkæt əˈwɒm pəs /

ADJECTIVE

askew

Synonyms

STRONGEST

awry off-center

WEAK

askance askant aslant bent buckled cockeyed crookedly curved knotted lopsided oblique obliquely slanted slanting to one side topsy-turvey turned twisted yaw ways zigzag

ADJECTIVE

crooked

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curved curving devious errant gnarled meandering serpentine sinuous twisted twisting winding

STRONG

bowed contorted deformed deviating disfigured distorted hooked rambling skewed slanted spiral tilted warped zigzag

WEAK

agee anfractuous angular asymmetric awry circuitous cockeyed incurving indirect irregular kinky knurly lopsided misshapen not straight oblique out of shape roundabout screwy snaky topsy-turvy tortile tortuous uneven

Antonyms

STRONGEST

straight unbent untwisted

WEAK

good honest law-abiding lawful moral

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then again, the district’s catawampus finances suggest its leaders are no better at math.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

We’re trying to find the balance again because it’s felt catawampus for a minute.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2025

Zeus brings me to the beach shortly after passing a catawampus gazebo with several collapsed pilings.

From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2019

One set of shutters was missing and the other hung lopsided, like the whole house had been smacked catawampus.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

And then again they all seem to go catawampus.

From Anne's House of Dreams by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)

catawampus

Example Sentences

Related Words