as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
a botched attempt to mend relations with our disaffected European allies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the first time we tried to make a cake, we botched the job completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of botched
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
To be sure, the full impact of the autopsy and its botched roll out likely won’t be seen in 2026.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Janine Schindler, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Still, Iowa’s botched 2020 caucus, where problems with technology and organization delayed the results for more than two weeks, remained a concern among the committee members.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
But Bill Belichick chose N’Keal Harry instead, arguably the most glaring of the legendary head coach’s series of botched picks in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026
To be sure, the full impact of the autopsy and its botched roll out likely won’t be seen in 2026.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Verb
Every time an underperforming manager missed a deadline or botched a client presentation, Marcus would swoop in, grab the metaphorical hose and put out the fire himself.
—Janine Schindler, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Still, Iowa’s botched 2020 caucus, where problems with technology and organization delayed the results for more than two weeks, remained a concern among the committee members.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
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This layout makes the monitor a natural fit for high-traffic environments like banking counters, medical reception desks, and service queues where traditional screen-sharing is often clumsy or compromises privacy.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 June 2026
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The clumsy third inning from the defense didn’t help Tong, who threw 27 pitches in the frame.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Before that, when the Jets could have taken the lead on their opening drive, Allen fumbled on the Dolphins’ 1-yard line.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
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The Spurs had one more chance, but Stephon Castle fumbled the inbounds pass and pandemonium at Madison Square Garden followed.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The awkward situation that Thiago is talking about involves receiving the ball with his back to a player who is closing him down at speed from behind.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Almost nine years after their awkward handshake at the 2017 Bastille Day military parade, the two men politely shook hands and expressed their affinity for each other.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Verb
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For now, the press still sometimes bungled his name as Harry.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
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Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once the opening whistle blew, all the focus turned to the field.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
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After someone blew a hole in the Nord Stream Pipeline deep under the Baltic Sea in September 2022, the global media debated a geopolitical whodunnit.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Showing up to shoot in person would only have ruined the city with its realness.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
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Pete Crow-Armstrong put his name in the Chicago Cubs' record book next to Hall of Fame slugger Hack Wilson — and then nearly ruined the celebration at Wrigley Field.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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