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

And because if the police mess up and cause injury or worse, then the consequences are incalculable.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

It is just as easy to mess up the timing of a passive index swap as it is a stock trade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

“What happens if I mess up or something?” he asked.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 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

I swallow a few mouthfuls of water and lose count of my strokes and mess up my breathing.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

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