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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
And the Ravens completely botched a late second-quarter sequence that resulted in the Bills making a late field goal.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 8 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
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
And the Ravens completely botched a late second-quarter sequence that resulted in the Bills making a late field goal.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 8 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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Last year, Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor celebrated prematurely and fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone on what was going to be a 41-yard TD run.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Cowboys linebacker James Houston caused Love to fumble.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 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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The Jays didn’t blow an October lead.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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He and his apprentices host glass- blowing classes on Fridays and Saturdays (reservation required), when guests can make anything from a bowl to a tumbler to an ornament.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In United's Polaris cabin, the airline serves a variety of soft drinks, spirits, and beer.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Sep. 2025
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There are a variety of treatments, including counseling, medications and support groups, to help people who want to end that dependency.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
29 Sep. 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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Several good, young A’s players Kurtz’s performance this season has put him near the front of the pack offensively on an A’s team that boasts an assortment of young talent.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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Appetizer options include mini crab cakes and salmon bites, served alongside an assortment of specialty cocktails to wash it all down.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These launch providers are racing a medley of Chinese rocket builders to become the second company to land and reuse a first stage booster.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
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My first dish, the Peruvian Ceviche, as suggested by my chef, was a stunning medley.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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