Showing results for messing up.

messing up

VERB

disorder, dirty

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

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.

It’s a song about a ne’er-do-well who can’t help messing up, and Mr. Kahan wishes the best for him—hoping his greatest fears are earthly threats like personal safety and cancer and not eternal damnation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

“I keep messing up my curve balls,” she shouts, manically flicking her fingers across her phone screen to throw Poké Balls, the spherical tools used to catch Pokémon, the mission of the game.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2025

A singer has apologised after swearing on live TV and "messing up" a performance of the US national anthem.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2024

“I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading,” Greene said to Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

From Slate • May 21, 2024

The next visitor we had came awfully close to messing up everything.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls