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.

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

They came out for the deciding set and it was all change again, Swiatek flipping a switch and smiling broadly at the end as she emerged victorious from a topsy-turvy encounter.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

“I saw something I liked this morning, and I meant to tell it at dinner, but I forgot,” said Beth, putting Jo’s topsy-turvy basket in order as she talked.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

topsy-turvy

Example Sentences

Related Words