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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of botched
CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
The series' kicks into high gear when Edwards is unceremoniously ousted by the SEALs after a botched raid.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Moody’s 44-yard field goal came after the 49ers botched a first-and-goal opportunity at the Raiders’ 9-yard line with false starts on Isaiah Prince and Nick Zakelj and a sack of quarterback Carter Bradley.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
Both Yoon and Kim have been arrested and are in jail, with Yoon already undergoing trial on charges that include insurrection following his ouster in April over a botched bid to impose martial law in December.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
The series' kicks into high gear when Edwards is unceremoniously ousted by the SEALs after a botched raid.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
But Bondi botched the matter from the start, a misstep that threatened to turn the President’s base against him.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Moody’s 44-yard field goal came after the 49ers botched a first-and-goal opportunity at the Raiders’ 9-yard line with false starts on Isaiah Prince and Nick Zakelj and a sack of quarterback Carter Bradley.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
-
Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There was no ninth-inning drama like Saturday in Baltimore, when Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the bullpen fumbled away a chance at a victory.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cleveland Browns blew both a golden opportunity at what would’ve been the surprise upset of Week 1 and a chance to add to the Cincinnati Bengals’ early-season misery of the past few years.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
On a 3rd and 1, Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt got a first down with the help of Kelce blocking on the line, but the tight end blocked a little bit longer after the whistle blew.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To him, the field looked ruined — nothing like the stiff, proud stalks of wheat growing nearby.—
Julia Rendleman,
ProPublica,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share