hugger-mugger
1 of 2noun
hug·ger-mug·ger ˈhə-gər-ˌmə-gər 
1
: secrecy
2
: confusion, muddle
hugger-mugger
2 of 2adjective
1
: secret
2
: of a confused or disorderly nature : jumbled
hugger-mugger adverb
Synonyms
Adjective
- chaotic
- cluttered
- confused
- disarranged
- disarrayed
- disheveled
- dishevelled
- disordered
- disorderly
- higgledy-piggledy
- jumbled
- littered
- messed
- messy
- muddled
- mussed
- mussy
- pell-mell
- rumpled
- sloppy
- topsy-turvy
- tousled
- tumbled
- unkempt
- untidy
- upside-down
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun
1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1
hugger-mugger
adjective
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
Relevance
- messy
- chaotic
- littered
- cluttered
- jumbled
- filthy
- sloppy
- confused
- dirty
- shaggy
- mussy
- untidy
- disorderly
- tangled
- muddled
- rumpled
- messed
- disordered
- tumbled
- unkempt
- tousled
- disheveled
- disarranged
- wrinkled
- disarrayed
- higgledy-piggledy
- pell-mell
- mussed
- stained
- topsy-turvy
- blackened
- squalid
- grimy
- dishevelled
- sloven
- dingy
- out of joint
- knotted
- draggled
- grubby
- nasty
- upside-down
- slovenly
- slatternly
- besmirched
- bedraggled
- sullied
- smudged
- befouled
- frowsy
- soiled
- mucky
- foul
- grungy
- unclean
- begrimed
- polluted
- spotted
- dowdy
- grotty
- uncleanly
- sordid
- contaminated
- frowzy
- uncombed
- seedy
- at sixes and sevens
- cruddy
- tainted
- shabby
- adulterated
- snarled
- neglected
- sleazy
- negligent
- defiled
- neglectful
- bemired
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- orderly
- shipshape
- tidy
- uncluttered
- neat
- organized
- crisp
- clean
- unsullied
- sparkling
- kempt
- cleaned
- systematic
- antiseptic
- trim
- unsoiled
- hygienic
- snug
- immaculate
- spotless
- regular
- stainless
- methodical
- methodic
- cleanly
- systematized
- ordered
- well-ordered
- bandbox
- careful
- spic-and-span
- tidied
- spick-and-span
- meticulous
- fastidious
- fussy
- finicky
- manicured
- neatened
- unpolluted
- wholesome
- untainted
- groomed
- combed
- undefiled
- taintless
- well-groomed
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
- clandestine
- undercover
- sneak
- covert
- underground
- sneaking
- private
- hole-and-corner
- surreptitious
- stealth
- backstairs
- furtive
- underhand
- secret
- underhanded
- sneaky
- stealthy
- privy
- undisclosed
- hush-hush
- hidden
- confidential
- behind-the-scenes
- classified
- secreted
- restricted
- top secret
- subterranean
- concealed
- off-the-books
- closed-door
- back-channel
- off-the-record
- unexposed
- unadvertised
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- overt
- public
- open
- avowed
- unconcealed
- acknowledged
- straightforward
- plain
- unrestricted
- undisguised
- unclassified
- aboveboard
- evident
- clear
- manifest
- obvious
- patent