as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've bollixed up the whole thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bollix (up)
Verb
-
Coming off an open week, the Cardinal (2-4, 1-2) forced a three-and-out on defense to start the game, but Liam Thorpe fumbled the ensuing punt return to give possession back to the Mustangs (4-2, 2-0).—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025 -
The Razorbacks fumbled 4 times and lost 3, including 2 in Tennessee territory.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to Reuters, 58 reports describe Teslas blowing through red lights, drifting into the wrong lanes and even crashing at intersections.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Some of it just plain blows the mind.—
Nick Tzitzon,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Back in January, Preston remembered filming My Best Friend’s Wedding — and how an iconic scene ruined crab and lobster for her.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Packages of flying tortillas thrown at the wrong time, or pocket knives, would only hurt a reputation that Texas Tech has worked doggedly to change and show that the Red Raiders are at home on a national stage, and not the crazy drunk uncle ruining a holiday.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Managers can either screw up or screw up slightly less than the other guy.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
In a world of near-constant conference realignment and the transfer portal, the annual Red River Rivalry game at the State Fair of Texas is one of the few things the sport hasn’t screwed up.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Bollix (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bollix%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share