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Definitions

mess

[mes] / mɛs /
NOUN
disorder, litter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chaos clutter confusion debris disarray jumble mayhem shambles turmoil wreck wreckage
STRONG
botch combination compound dirtiness discombobulation disorganization eyesore fright hash hodgepodge mishmash monstrosity salmagundi sight untidiness
WEAK
every which way
Antonyms
STRONGEST
harmony neatness order organization system
WEAK
tidiness
NOUN
difficulty, predicament
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dilemma imbroglio muddle plight
STRONG
fix jam mix up perplexity pickle stew
Antonyms
STRONG
boon ease
WEAK
benefit solution

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.

Since the start of the Iran war, the conventional wisdom has been that the whole thing is a hot mess.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

The only way out of the mess looks to be self-driving cars.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“I haven’t had my morning coffee,” he continued, “my wife has a doctor’s appointment and I haven’t had a day off from this mess in two weeks.”

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

The U.S., which hasn’t posted a clean sheet since September, has become an error-prone mess on defense, with Pochettino’s wide, attack-minded approach revealing a structural fragility that has left the Americans’ thin back line exposed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Emma and I didn’t cause this mess, but I bet Melanie and Hannah would appreciate a clean home.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller