as in fumbling
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
he booted the answer of what should have been an easy question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of booting
Strom added that the offering outreach to homeless people with the threat of booting them and throwing their belongings out is counterproductive.
—
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In fact, the IOC might consider booting the sport altogether in June.
—Dana Oneil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Here’s what audiences should know before booting up their screens.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
For some, such as Platner, who supports Medicare for All, that also means booting out the current congressional leaders, who critics accuse of being too cozy with donors.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Gonzalez bounced back on his next attempt, booting a 52-yarder to put the Falcons up 17-14 as time expired in the third quarter.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
The board changes come just months after Novo appointed Doustdar as chief executive, booting former CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, in part blaming him for the current trajectory of the company and its shares.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
Prince Andrew's ex-wife Ferguson, however, has also dropped use of her duchess title amid the scandal, and King Charles is reportedly booting the former couple (who continue to live together) from their longtime Royal Lodge home.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Upon booting up the game and working through a pretty robust character creator, players arrive in Lumiose City and are immediately ambushed by a content creator/social media manager working for the corporation Quasartico, Inc.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In fact, the IOC might consider booting the sport altogether in June.
—Dana Oneil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Here’s what audiences should know before booting up their screens.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
For some, such as Platner, who supports Medicare for All, that also means booting out the current congressional leaders, who critics accuse of being too cozy with donors.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Gonzalez bounced back on his next attempt, booting a 52-yarder to put the Falcons up 17-14 as time expired in the third quarter.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
The board changes come just months after Novo appointed Doustdar as chief executive, booting former CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, in part blaming him for the current trajectory of the company and its shares.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
Prince Andrew's ex-wife Ferguson, however, has also dropped use of her duchess title amid the scandal, and King Charles is reportedly booting the former couple (who continue to live together) from their longtime Royal Lodge home.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Upon booting up the game and working through a pretty robust character creator, players arrive in Lumiose City and are immediately ambushed by a content creator/social media manager working for the corporation Quasartico, Inc.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for booting
Verb
-
Gibson rushed for 1,000 yards in his second season, then suffered from fumbling issues over his final years with the Commanders.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
-
But Illinois is at risk of fumbling this opportunity.—
Susana A. Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most hotel treatments are nice but not mind blowing—these were.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Coney Island live cam See blowing snow along the boardwalk and shoreline at Coney Island.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The family is known for murdering its own members, planning atrocities with wildfire, and generally unleashing a draconian rage on the commoners of Westeros.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, during a brief hearing in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Monday morning.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Booting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/booting. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
