as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
a botched attempt to mend relations with our disaffected European allies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fumbled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of botched
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
After the botched attempt on Tatiana’s life, Green fled in his truck.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The former Oregon product threw an egregious pick-six and botched a handoff.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
There is a Little Havana, with stores and restaurants that evoke those on the island, and a park where men gather to play dominoes beside a monument commemorating the botched Bay of Pigs invasion.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
After the botched attempt on Tatiana’s life, Green fled in his truck.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
And according to Judge Pugh, the IRS basically botched every one of those things.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The former Oregon product threw an egregious pick-six and botched a handoff.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
-
Actually, Alma does suffer from ulcers, which cause her extraordinary stomach pain and vomiting at inconvenient moments, and cause viewers to wonder not if but when such clumsy symbolic traits will be trotted out in the future.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
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There had to be an element of her that was sort of clumsy.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Coleman fumbled away his first catch in that game, at Buffalo’s 10-yard line, gifting New England a free field goal in a three-point game.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbled a handoff late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Bears’ defense to recover.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Pickens caught a pass around the 26-yard line and blazed past cornerback Mike Jackson on an awkward angle for the score.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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Teammate Ji’Ayir Brown rolled up on the back of Warner’s ankle while trying to make a tackle on Rachaad White, and Warner’s ankle bent at an awkward angle.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 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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But Denver bungled five — five — chances to extend their lead to two scores in the second half after taking resounding control of the game in the second half.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 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
Verb
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In a post on Reddit's Wedding Drama forum, the bride explained the stressful situation that nearly ruined her nuptials.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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After his umpteenth comeback, director Robert Altman almost immediately ruined his career again with this tepid, unwieldy multicharacter satire of the fashion world.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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