Standard Lemma guide

omnishambles

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈɒmniˌʃæmbəlz/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A situation that is bad or mismanaged in every way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, informal

Topics: government, politics

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: clusterfuck, debacle, fiasco, hot mess, perfect storm, shit show, shitstorm
  • Between the car accident, the food poisoning and the lost keys, the holiday was an omnishambles.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clusterfuck, debacle, fiasco, hot mess, perfect storm, shit show, shitstorm

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From omni- + shambles. Introduced by the television show The Thick of It in 2009.