as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the first time we tried to make a cake, we botched the job completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jumble
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
this police procedural is basically a botch of plot elements stolen from other (and better) novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of botch
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Even as his team keeps messing up, botching substitutions and committing untimely errors, Mike McDaniel generally keeps his calm.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Lastly, there was the botch job of trading away Jake Guentzel at the deadline last season.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botch
Verb
First, Hernaiz botched what should have been a double play ball off the bat of Trevor Story, which allowed everyone to advance safely and loaded the bases with nobody out.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Even as his team keeps messing up, botching substitutions and committing untimely errors, Mike McDaniel generally keeps his calm.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%.
‘An embrace of brutality’
Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Lastly, there was the botch job of trading away Jake Guentzel at the deadline last season.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botch
Verb
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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
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The Razorbacks fumbled 4 times and lost 3, including 2 in Tennessee territory.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Verb
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But then a ref blew the whistle as the buzzer sounded, giving Duke two meaningless free throws while up by four.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
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The two shared a playful moment, dancing together before Charli slipped her sunglasses onto Role Model’s face, blew him a kiss, and made her exit.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Fortunately, there is a growing movement to curb light pollution and reduce its impacts across a variety of animal species.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The beauty is variety—but that variety depends on the region.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One day, calling kids up to get pizza for a class lunch, the teacher repeatedly and purposely bungled her name.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
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Zach Johnson has spent the past two years in the awkward air of bungling the Americans’ 2023 trip to Rome.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The assortment features a variety of cheeses shaped like pumpkins and ghosts, ideal for a party platter or snack tray.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Oct. 2025
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During the fall, an assortment of oranges, yellows, golds, greens, and browns set a rather striking scene for those driving the famed byway.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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The dishes are fresh and vibrant, infusing a medley of spices with quality ingredients to produce tasty creations.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
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Here, she's seen performing on her variety show, which featured a number of famous guests and her own musical medleys.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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