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
Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The search for a permanent inspector general began after the city botched the process last year.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
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
After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.
—Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The search for a permanent inspector general began after the city botched the process last year.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
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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If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Since the first release in December, critics have accused the administration of fumbling the rollout and withholding too many documents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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The result also spotlights conference championships’ awkward fit in the current system, particularly given the fact that conference expansion has led to jumbles atop each league’s standings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Wind shear, which occurs when winds blow at different speeds and/or directions with height, acts as an impediment to fledgling tropical storms and hurricanes.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
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There's also a short clip of Cyrus onstage as Hannah with a band, blowing a kiss to a crowd as confetti falls around her.—
Mary Pat Thompson,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Purple is the classic color of the intensely fragrant flowers of this species, but varieties that bloom in blue, lavender, and pink are also available.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
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Although the restaurant has served a wide variety of dishes over the years, none have captured locals' hearts and stomachs like Workingman's Friend's enormous, nap-inducing double cheeseburgers.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But both episodes will go down in state history as poorly handled, bungled beyond all understanding, the two shoves on our back that sent us spiraling out of control.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
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Cricket was shot for yapping uncontrollably, bungling the mission, and killing innocent bystanders.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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So often, luxury hotel beds are quietly elegant, deep, and sumptuous—perhaps dressed in high-thread-count Frette linens or topped with a generous assortment of cushy pillows—but there’s not always a ton of visible design that goes into the actual bed setup itself.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
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Area 15 is a mixed-use experiential playground, offering up an impressive assortment of retail, dining, nightlife and immersive activities.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People suffer and the country becomes ruined.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Anti-Chafe Stick With sweaty bodies and lots of walking often comes chafing, something that can ruin a day in a theme park faster than a thunderstorm.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Their concert at ActivCare in Pacific Beach included music students from PB Middle School, while their concert at Atria La Jolla featured the duo playing a medley of songs individually and as a duet.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
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After each screening, coordinators put together literacy kits, a medley of tools and activities for at-home practice.—
MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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