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 of bungle

• fumble
• blow
• botch
• ruin
• dub

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

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

Though usually a very smooth operator, Latif has bungled the latest job for his handler Mike (Laith Nakli). — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

Citing a Pulitzer-winning New York Times investigation, the Republican argued Becerra bungled the handling of the influx of child migrants that lead thousands to be trafficked into dangerous jobs. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026

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