shambolic

adjective

sham·​bol·​ic sham-ˈbä-lik How to pronounce shambolic (audio)
chiefly British
: obviously disorganized or confused

Examples of shambolic in a Sentence

a shambolic system of public transportation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yet in a country that needs renewal rather than retrenchment, this kind of politics tends to generate perpetual crises—which have, in turn, caused the party to make a series of shambolic climbdowns that have eroded its credibility. Oliver Eagleton, Time, 5 July 2025 The strike, powered past Sanchez by Wallace Yan, was the result of the kind of shambolic defending that has plagued Chelsea since its golden generation of players left the squad. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 June 2025 The three very professional analysts immediately began very professional analysis of O’Neal’s shambolic gait. Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025 In this meaningless shambolic parking-lot-theater mess? Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shambolic

Word History

Etymology

probably from shambles

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shambolic was in 1970

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Cite this Entry

“Shambolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shambolic. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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