as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've bollixed up the whole thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bollixed (up)
Verb
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Payton fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, and the Patriots recovered at the Bears' 19-yard line.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026 -
To do so, the Patriots must keep enough heat off Drake Maye, who has taken 10 sacks and fumbled six times in the playoffs.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Organizers handed out plastic whistles, which participants blew as music blared from a van.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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When the full-time whistle blew at the Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Matthias Jaissle was wild-eyed.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The climate may get screwed up in new ways as scientists attempt to turn the planet’s temperature dial down.—
Christian Elliott,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
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What Mager is showing here is the difference between kids and adults, the openness and willingness to be bold and confront things head on with matter-of-fact honesty in a world that is being screwed up by their elders and those in charge.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Frankly, this ruined my birthday for me for the next forty years.—
Gaby Iori
January 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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Knowing what not to wash together can save plenty of headaches (and ruined garments and linens) down the line.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Note Pro also has excellent battery life, able to record 30 hours of audio continuously on a charge in what’s dubbed Enhanced Mode.—
Dwight Silverman,
Houston Chronicle,
31 Jan. 2026
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New York may be dubbed the city that never sleeps, but Los Angeles gives it a run for its money—at least during Grammys weekend.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bollixed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bollixed%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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