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Definitions

mess up

[mes-uhp] / ˈmɛsˌʌp /
VERB
create disorder; dirty; goof
Synonyms
WEAK
befoul besmirch bobble bollix botch bungle clutter confuse damage derange destroy disarrange discompose dishevel disorganize disturb foul goof up gum up jumble litter louse up muddle pollute ruin rummage scramble screw up smear soil spoil unsettle upset
Antonyms
WEAK
arrange order organize tidy
NOUN
an error, mistake; confusion
Synonyms
STRONG
blunder faux pas gaffe goof mix-up muss shambles

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.

"What Alan Garten did here is a pretty significant mess-up and again, as you just appropriately stated, it corroborates everything that I said."

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2023

The prime minister has accepted he made a mistake but this mess-up is likely to stick with him.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2023

Nick Faldo has a pretty eye-opening mess-up right off the bat on the telecast.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 10, 2020

But I’m hoping to be surprised this year — just not in the same way as last year’s mess-up.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2018

Well, I don’t want any mess-up with the brakeman, so we may as well walk out now that they’re coming back for him.

From Lorimer of the Northwest by Dewey, Alfred James