Shambles

MESS

Think of a four-letter word for a disorderly pile or chaotic situation, often used when things are in complete disarray.

"Shambles" is a word that can mean a state of total disorder, making it a straightforward synonym for "mess." In British English, it also refers to a slaughterhouse, but that meaning isn’t relevant here—this clue plays on the more common, everyday sense. The answer fits because both words describe something chaotic or poorly organized. No hidden tricks, just a direct definition.