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.

Brokers have the option to buy an additional 83.3 million shares as part of a standard overallotment option to help balance supply and demand, messing up the nine fives.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

“I hate messing up in front of people,” she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 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

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

From Slate • May 21, 2024

I’m trying to re-create it as closely as I can, but I’m messing up more than usual.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy