bungle

verb

bun·​gle ˈbəŋ-gəl 

bungled; bungling ˈbəŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to act or work clumsily and awkwardly

bungled badly in the campaign

transitive verb

: mishandle, botch

bungle a job

bungled the investigation

bungle noun

bungler

ˈbəŋ-g(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• blow
• bobble
• boggle
• bollix (up)
• boot
• botch
• bugger (up)
• bumble
• butcher
• dub
• flub
• fluff
• foozle
• foul up
• fumble
• goof (up)
• louse up
• mangle
• mess (up)
• muck up
• muff
• murder
• screw up

Examples of bungle in a Sentence

The government bungled badly in planning the campaign.

bungled the job the first time she tried to do it

Recent Examples on the Web

Further investigation showed that the department bungled follow-up care too, failing to investigate the sources of lead exposure for some children. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

The ensuing play again defensively broke down for the Giants when Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman bungled the ground ball off Dansby Swanson’s bat as Crow-Armstrong’s presence at third and deke home coincided with the mishandle. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025

Wasted opportunities Two of O'Brien's best talk show moments were bungled at the ceremony. —Staff Author, EW.com, 4 May 2025

With new signings badly needed, the January transfer window instead saw the promising defender Juma Bah lost to Manchester City for €6m after the teenager’s contract situation was bungled. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic banga to hammer

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for bungle

• antifungal
• fungal
• jungle

Kids Definition

bungle

verb

bun·​gle ˈbəŋ-gəl 

bungled; bungling -g(ə-)liŋ 

: to act, do, make, or work badly

bungle a job

bungle noun

bungler

-g(ə-)ler 

noun