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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of botched
CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
The series' kicks into high gear when Edwards is unceremoniously ousted by the SEALs after a botched raid.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Moody’s 44-yard field goal came after the 49ers botched a first-and-goal opportunity at the Raiders’ 9-yard line with false starts on Isaiah Prince and Nick Zakelj and a sack of quarterback Carter Bradley.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
Both Yoon and Kim have been arrested and are in jail, with Yoon already undergoing trial on charges that include insurrection following his ouster in April over a botched bid to impose martial law in December.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
The series' kicks into high gear when Edwards is unceremoniously ousted by the SEALs after a botched raid.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
But Bondi botched the matter from the start, a misstep that threatened to turn the President’s base against him.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Moody’s 44-yard field goal came after the 49ers botched a first-and-goal opportunity at the Raiders’ 9-yard line with false starts on Isaiah Prince and Nick Zakelj and a sack of quarterback Carter Bradley.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
-
The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There was no ninth-inning drama like Saturday in Baltimore, when Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the bullpen fumbled away a chance at a victory.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Progressives fumbled their 2022 campaigns for the seat, when multiple candidates with left-wing credentials knocked each other out, letting Goldman prevail with just 26% of the vote.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While there is little doubt about the outcome of the Fed meeting, there are still questions over who exactly will be voting—setting up some very awkward dynamics.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
This leaves the broader discourse around Kirk’s assassination in an awkward position, deprived of the certainty that so many crave.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More Ramirez/Getty Images On Thursday, after his team blew a 4-0 first-inning lead to lose 6-4 in the Phillies series finale, Mendoza accepted blame for the team's current skid.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Sean Brock has been on a mission to create the perfect pizza after a meal at the pizza joint Savoy in Japan completely blew his mind.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When faced with Cherry going berserk, what can Laura do but visit Cherry’s mother and learn that Cherry nearly killed her dad and ruined an ex-boyfriend’s wedding by filling his cake with raw pig parts?—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share