bungle 1 of 2

verb

ˈbəŋ-gəl How to pronounce bungle (audio)
Definition of bunglenext
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way bungled the job the first time she tried to do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bungle

2 of 2

noun

as in botch

Related Words

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 bungle
Verb
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who polled at 5% in the CBS survey, accused Becerra of bungling the federal government’s response to COVID-19, mpox and the influx in child migrants under former President Joe Biden. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Authorities bungle the case but still arrest a maintenance worker for the killings. — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
With suspiciously fortuitous timing, Andy is snapped up as Runway’s new features editor—a move that Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman), the Si Newhouse-esque head of Elias-Clarke, hopes will salvage what remains of the publication’s credibility in the wake of Miranda’s bungle. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026 In addition to Robinhood’s Platinum card, there is Citi’s $695-per-year Strata Elite, whose debut last year was marred by an application-process bungle that saw the bank freeze thousands of accounts—but which has proved popular nonetheless. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
  1. fumble
  2. botch
  3. blow
  4. bobble
  5. ruin
  6. dub
Verb
  • Basabe, 48, fumbled his way through the trial, often seeming confused about the legal proceedings.
    — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • The Sky rank 13th in the league with a 7-16 record after fumbling a fourth-quarter lead Sunday in a loss to the Dallas Wings.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of fumble
Noun
  • Of course this was a calculated power play, not a bureaucratic botch.
    — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.
    — Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of botch
Verb
  • The night quickly blew open from there, a 10-7 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies that was uglier than the final score and further sank Sheehan’s season.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Mara’s hands can be an issue with bobbles and turnovers, and his lateral foot speed is concerning.
    — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Ordinary humans like Stephen’s selfish boss are depicted as giant walking eggs, while others are proportioned like bobble heads.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of bobble
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • The attack was planned to take place at the cage-fighting show dubbed UFC Freedom 250, which was held on the South Lawn of the White House to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
    — Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • For years, it was known as the third-place playoff but now, to the annoyance of many, it’s dubbed the Bronze Final.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of dub

Browse Nearby Words

bunging up
bungle
bungled
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Cite this Entry

“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bungle for Spanish Speakers

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