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
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Recent Examples of botch
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Barney excelled at the technique, leaving Lily no choice but to flash him as a distraction to botch the final move.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for botch
Verb
But Team Blue ultimately squanders their lead, completely botching the puzzle as the other two tribes smoke theirs.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Barney excelled at the technique, leaving Lily no choice but to flash him as a distraction to botch the final move.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Those communication botches, whether on the break or in the half court, often include Towns, who once again vanished as a scorer.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for botch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botch
Verb
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Missouri couldn’t win on third down The Zollers fumble on third-and-10 summed up this area.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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While trying to stop the clock with only seconds remaining, Eastern Washington quarterback Jake Schakel fumbled the ball on a spike attempt with his team at the Montana 5-yard line.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 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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Straight line winds can blow down trees, power lines, and damage mobile homes and other buildings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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The Buffalo Bills were left stunned in Miami on Sunday afternoon as the Dolphins blew them out 30-13 in a crucial AFC East rivalry game.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Although timber remains the primary long-term commercial value, growing improved varieties for both nuts and timber is considered potentially highly profitable, provided there is a long-term perspective and proper tree management.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
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For lunch and dinner, Coconut Creek offers a variety of cuisines to choose from, including Papamigos' Asian-Mexican tacos and sushi, fresh seafood at The Fish Joint, and the Italian flavors of Sette Mezzo.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Chiefs bungled it in more ways than one, more than that fourth-down call, even if the most glaring is the decision to settle for three.—
Sam McDowell
November 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Nov. 2025
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Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As Spring told Fortune, Macy’s recent success—including its best quarter for sales growth in three years—is thanks to a playbook focused on less store clutter, a more focused assortment of products and brands, and more staffing in key departments such as women’s shoes and dresses.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Passive funds are attractive because, with their investment fees typically running ~80% lower than active funds, they’re viewed as a cheaper way to own a diverse assortment of stocks.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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So, no, women didn’t ruin the workplace.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Afterwards, Olivia Rodrigo, Feist, and Twenty One Pilots then performed a medley of White Stripes classics in their honor.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
9 Nov. 2025
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Stevie Wonder led the show’s hot and funky opening number — a medley tribute to the late Sly Stone capped by a reliably powerhouse vocal performance from Jennifer Hudson.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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