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
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Recent Examples of botched
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
There were misfires, of course, like deals for Maker Studios and Club Penguin, not to mention a string of botched succession attempts, including his decision to settle on Bob Chapek after minimal vetting in 2020.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
Joe Biden Nothing hurt Biden's presidency more than the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan months into his first year in office.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
There were misfires, of course, like deals for Maker Studios and Club Penguin, not to mention a string of botched succession attempts, including his decision to settle on Bob Chapek after minimal vetting in 2020.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
And botched by the officials, said Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
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But it’s played sincerely, so the visual contrast just makes the connection feel clumsy, if not outright absurd.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
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McGee meets one of a clumsy TURF intern Pete, who is revealed to be Olivia's 18-year-old son, Matteo (Patrick Keleher) under interrogation.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lawyer suggested the doctors at the Meadows fumbled Spacey’s treatment because their program was geared toward addiction.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Warriors had a chance to send the game to overtime on the final possession of regulation, but Post, who hit four 3s on the night, fumbled the catch and turned the ball over, leaving the Knicks with the ball as the shot clock expired.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One possibility that can’t be ruled out is the Red Sox could trade Yoshida, who has played great since last September but who has become an awkward roster fit.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
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The world was first introduced to Saoirse-Monica Jackson as the awkward and expressive schoolgirl Erin Quinn in Derry Girls, navigating Troubles-era Northern Ireland and its conflict with the same fervor as her crushes, convent school, and cringe-inducing teenage chaos.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Apollo's acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo's online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.—
Michael Liedtke,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Avdija blew by everybody for a layup to tie the score at 31-31, and Adelman called a timeout.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
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Jalen Brunson scored 17 points and OG Anunoby finished with 16 for the Knicks, who trailed by 13 points in the first half, then blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Of course, it’s been ruined now because of the Coldplay concert.—
Maria Bamford,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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Not a great weekend for Cinderella Has NIL ruined the college game?—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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