1
as in messy
lacking neatness in dress or person
a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
dumped the papers in a sloppy pile on the desk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a cinematic romance with a sloppy musical score that will have audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppy
Tells include uneven floors, exposed wires, gaps in trim, sloppy caulking, or creative use of materials (but not in a good way).
—
Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Waltz's sloppy explanation to Fox News' Laura Ingraham made things worse.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 29 Mar. 2025
Gators shake sloppy start vs. Maryland, advance to Elite 8 vs. Texas Tech
Florida turned it over 13 times in the first half but regrouped.
—Eddie Pells, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Read's lawyers pointed repeatedly to sloppy policing, including leaving the scene unsecured for hours and not searching the house.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Waltz's sloppy explanation to Fox News' Laura Ingraham made things worse.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 29 Mar. 2025
Gators shake sloppy start vs. Maryland, advance to Elite 8 vs. Texas Tech
Florida turned it over 13 times in the first half but regrouped.
—Eddie Pells, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Read's lawyers pointed repeatedly to sloppy policing, including leaving the scene unsecured for hours and not searching the house.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloppy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppy
Adjective
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That will mean messy debates over taxes, benefits programs, the debt ceiling and other big-ticket items.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
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Grey's Anatomy may have hit its 20th anniversary last month, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for one more medical drama (with messy romances) — and Netflix wants in.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Social Security problems The chaotic situation around DOGE has raised concerns that federal programs such as Social Security that many Americans rely on could be impacted.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Carter arrives as a fumbling, awkward, lovable med student—the audience surrogate in the chaotic and intense environment of a fictional Chicago emergency ward.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Strahovski and her family said their goodbyes to the city in a sentimental post in February 2025.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The British monarch and his longtime partner, who celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, marked the sentimental milestone on Monday with a pair of portraits shared on social media.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
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Corruption within the organization, after all, is as much a part of the show as Jackson Lamb’s slovenly habits and horrible diet.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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And while my four rides in Waymo's Jaguar i-Pace vehicles around Los Angeles last summer didn't feature any such fits of indecisiveness, the cars have had their own confused moments.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
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Harris emphasizes nothing has yet changed but customers remain confused as to the status of the incentive and Harbinger’s IRA Risk Free Guarantee was created to mitigate that confusion.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Aphids excrete the sap as honeydew, leaving leaves sticky and susceptible to sooty mold.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2025
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Pitchers were becoming too dominant with the sticky stuff.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But Morris got wet and was suffering from hypothermia by the time rescuers arrived.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Some greens are known for being dry while others have a rep for being wet, and a new type of golf ball coating could make for better golfing on both.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the first, the sheepdog appears engulfed by a thick coat of long white fur, his face nearly obscured by the shaggy mass.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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With their thick, shaggy fur, the 5-month-old wolves are better adapted to the cold.—
Emily Mullin,
Wired News,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sloppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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