1
as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a hugger-mugger presentation of the facts of the case that left everyone confused
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
a tale of hugger-mugger doings and international espionage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugger-mugger
Adjective
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Felix, a neat freak, moves in with his messy best friend Oscar following his divorce, and their relationship is put to the test — and then some.—
Erin Clack, People.com, 25 May 2025
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There, Parker stuck to her middle part, messy waves and played with pattern clashing, wearing a button-up, floral midi dress under a turquoise jacket decoarted in white polka dots.—
Adjective
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Tired of using bulky night vision goggles for your clandestine nocturnal activities?—
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The fiery combination of Mars trine Venus sparks things up in your clandestine 12th house of secrets and eighth house of intimate affairs.—
Adjective
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The 2021 withdrawal was unacceptably chaotic and bloody, the takeover by the Taliban shameful, but that war is now over.—
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No dogs will be allowed because Matthews didn’t want dogs’ first experience at the facility to be chaotic and filled with stress.—
Adjective
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Over the course of the investigation, Salinas Valencia sold the undercover officer several firearms, including two machineguns, as well as fentanyl pills and cocaine.—
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Officer 18 was a standout among undercover officers, doubling his or her regular pay all three years.—
Adjective
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Striking Iran’s nuclear program would likely set off a much larger conflict in which Israel and the United States hunt for covert Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran retaliates in the Middle East and beyond.—
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Mon Mothma's speech Mon Mothma's covert support of the Rebels becomes public following the devastating events of the Ghorman Massacre.—
Adjective
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After being fired from SNL, Silverman scored a part playing a misunderstood filthy comedy writer on The Larry Sanders Show, Shandling’s classic send-up of the talk-show game.—
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Who doesn’t rinse out (and ideally wash) a filthy blender filled with milky stuff?—
Adjective
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The second phase of redevelopment is expected to double the size of the Stockyards, adding three hotels, 300,000 square feet of commercial space, at least 295 units of multifamily housing and two underground parking garages.—
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Weather permitting, chefs prepare cochinita pibil, perhaps the most iconic dish of the region, in an underground pit directly on the beach.—
Adjective
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The museums are typically built in the presidents’ home states with private donations and endowments.—
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The center, which does not receive government funding, relies solely on private donations to keep their programs and facility up and running.—
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Cite this Entry
“Hugger-mugger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugger-mugger. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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