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
Kylian Mbappe, Romelu Lukaku and Darwin Nunez are some names at the World Cup who have previously bungled a knee slide celebration by diving into the ground, rather than trying to sling themselves along it. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 1 June 2026 For now, the press still sometimes bungled his name as Harry. — Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 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
  • After Jordan fumbled away a screen pass, Maiava later found Mosley for that 68-yard score.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Balogun didn’t hurt his stock or his public image by walking away from Everton, a club that fumbled its way through another transfer window.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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
  • But then on Sunday, McFarlane blew a save by serving up a three-run blast to Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Usually a cold front blows through a few days before the dove season opener.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 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
  • Only Hincapie’s wayward finish, a second later, ruined things.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Social media now dominates millions of lives, ruining too many.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • Distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Witch on the Holy Night will be available in both Japanese with English subtitles as well as dubbed in English.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The shawarma here is so good, Free Press readers dubbed it the best among 16 restaurants in our April Shawarma Showdown.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2026.

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