BUNGLE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

bungle 1 of 2

verb

ˈbəŋ-gəl

Definition of bungle

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

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

On Monday, a judge on Staten Island temporarily blocked the city from implementing the tax due to a lawsuit brought by a group of homeowners who allege the city bungled the rollout of the tax. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The combustion of Graham Platner’s candidacy in Maine is another blow to a Democratic Party trying to mend its reputation after bungling the 2024 presidential election. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 9 July 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

Verb

On third-and-3 in NU territory, running back Damian Henderson II fumbled the handoff, and NU linebacker Brus recovered it at the NU 20.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Secure bags together with an industry secret Airline staff have an ability to bob and weave through terminals without fumbling their bags.

— Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

Georgia State wasn’t done, as running back Qwantavius Wiggins blew past the UCF defense, racing 78 yards for a touchdown and giving the Panthers their first lead of the game at 21-17.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
The 10-year Treasury yield topped 5% this past week, hitting the highest level since 2007 and blowing way past forecasts for borrowing costs over the next decade.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 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

To me, that would ruin all of the progress baseball has made over the last five years.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
My personal concern is especially based on the fact that their huge need for additional electricity generation could very well ruin our ability to reduce carbon emissions and avoid a climate crisis.

— Martin Kushler, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

Congress this week attempted to rush the measure, dubbed the Ratepayer Protection Act, in the waning days before November’s election, as data centers have become an increasingly contentious issue.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Easy to cast and machine, cheap to manufacture, the material – dubbed Pykrete – showed some promise.

— Mike McRae September 16, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of dub

Browse Nearby Words

bunging up

bungle

bungled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bungle

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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