mess up

[mes-uhp] / ˈmɛsˌʌp /

Part of Speech:

All (2) Verb (1) Noun (1)

Jump To:

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.

mess up

AI can mess up, and the stakes are higher when they’re acting in your name.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

“There are going to be things that I mess up on,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

But that can happen any place on any day, and nobody has to mess up an arid ecosystem to enjoy it.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

"Just don't mess up," he said, in a succinct piece of management advice.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

All I needed to do was mess up the perfectly smoothed bedcovers, which I did with a jump.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

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