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
Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
But in April, an earlier New Glenn flight botched deploying an AST satellite at the correct orbit, resulting in its demise.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for botch
Verb
Concurrently, the Met botch their way through their investigation, diverting all their attention to an entirely innocent man while ignoring the serial offender under their nose.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
But in April, an earlier New Glenn flight botched deploying an AST satellite at the correct orbit, resulting in its demise.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
Noun
The 10-member panel’s first time out, in 2022, was a total botch, as the process was unconstitutionally hijacked by Democrats in the Legislature until it was stopped by the state’s highest court.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for botch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botch
Verb
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After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the goal that gave the Mexicans six points and pushed them to the top of the standings.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
OnlyFans fumbled a previous version of this dilemma.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
-
Referee Nicolae Rainea blows his whistle.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Imagine a world where the weather forecast calls for winds blowing at 11,000 miles per hour (18,000 kilometers per hour) and nighttime showers of liquid metal, rubies and sapphires.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Guests can also access nearby sister resort Marival Emotions Resort & Suites Riviera Nayarit, which features kids and teens clubs and a variety of family-friendly activities, and food and beverage outlets.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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While at Fortress, Adamolekun visited a variety of Red Lobster restaurants in secret to assess them.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
For now, the press still sometimes bungled his name as Harry.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who polled at 5% in the CBS survey, accused Becerra of bungling the federal government’s response to COVID-19, mpox and the influx in child migrants under former President Joe Biden.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Each sister influenced a different section of the assortment, which Quay developed to reflect their individual styles while still reading as one family offering.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
14 June 2026
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Looking ahead Beyond the fidgets that make up the majority of their inventory, Victoria Essie Studio still sells an assortment of earrings and homewares like trinket dishes and coasters.—
Jennifer Liu
Valentina Duarte,
CNBC,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Don't Worry Too Much About Saltwater Or Chlorine Many people assume a quick swim in the ocean or pool will ruin their sunglasses.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
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Could the Boston Celtics or another team ruin the Heat’s plan, swooping in and trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and getting a long-term commitment from him?—
Anthony Chiang
June 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Noun
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Purple cabbage, carrots, and cilantro create a colorful, flavorful medley dressed with olive oil, rice vinegar, lime juice, and a little sugar.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
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Throughout the night, Swift and Kelce danced to tribute performances for and by the musician’s fellow inductees, including a medley of hits performed by John Fogerty and his sons Shane and Tyler.—
Emily Dentinger,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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