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
In the space of a few paragraphs, Ned will abandon and recover his child, bungle an extramarital affair, win and lose, experience ecstasy and dejection. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026 Joe Burrow bungles Bengals’ passing game My theory of the case with Caleb Williams is that there was untapped running value here. — Michael Salfino, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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
  • Three plays later, Austin Simmons hit Cayden Lee, who got blasted by a Longhorn defender and fumbled to set up the game-sealing Texas TD.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
  • And four plays after Browne fumbled at his own 2, Washington scored on 1 -yard plunge.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 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 Jets blew a nine-point halftime lead and wasted a 33-point afternoon against a Raiders team that had lost four straight.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • As the final whistle blew at CPKC Stadium, signaling victory for the Kansas City Current in a Saturday playoff match, a release of joy swept across the field.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the Dodgers added two more insurance runs in the fifth with a solo homer from Ohtani, a double from Pages and a couple of defensive bobbles by the Rockies.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Others secured the football, either cleanly or after a brief bobble.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of bobble
Verb
  • The tumult of these raids, which played out daily on TV and social media, ruined lives and hurt local economies.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Season is far from over The good news is, unlike Miami’s historic 1988 loss in South Bend, this loss does not ruin the Hurricanes’ chances to win a national title.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Bare Edie is a balm with no color pigment, which comes in one shade, dubbed Very Unspoken.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The show is set over 200 years after the life of Avatar Korra, with the world having been devastated by an apocalyptic event dubbed The Cataclysm that Korra is blamed for causing.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of dub

Browse Nearby Words

bunging up
bungle
bungled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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