Definitions

topsy-turvy

[top-see-tur-vee] / ˈtɒp siˈtɜr vi /

ADJECTIVE

mixed-up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chaotic tangled

WEAK

cluttered cockeyed confused disarranged disheveled disjointed dislocated disordered disorderly disorganized downside-up inside-out inverted jumbled littered luxated messy muddled overturned pell-mell riotous unhinged untidy upended upside-down upturned

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ordered organized

WEAK

straight

ADJECTIVE

disorderly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chaotic confused disarranged disorderly

WEAK

inside-out jumbled mixed up upended upside-down wrong-side up

Antonyms

WEAK

ordered organized straight

ADVERB

in utter disorder; upside down

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backwards in disorder inside-out upside-down

STRONG

any which way helter-skelter higgledy-piggledy

WEAK

upended wrong-side up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

in good order right-side up

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.

The company’s shares recently soared from below $150 at the end March to roughly $848 last week, before crashing back down in a topsy-turvy short squeeze.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

All four players struggled with their serves in a topsy-turvy second set, with four consecutive breaks en route to 3-3.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

In a topsy-turvy fourth quarter, the Lakers came up short when LeBron James missed a last-second shot that sent L.A. to a 110-109 loss to the Magic on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

In a moment of less acute emergency, there are good reasons to fix that topsy-turvy situation.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

Seeing someone strong and tough as Mr. Leroy crying made me feel like everything was turned topsy-turvy.

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis

topsy-turvy

Example Sentences

Related Words