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
ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
As many as two dozen died and Staten Islanders were livid at a botched cleanup.
—Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
An inmate’s seemingly clever plan to escape jail via the visitation room ceiling – after meeting with his attorney – proved to be botched from get-go, according to investigators in North Carolina.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
North Korea unveiled a second destroyer of the same class in May last year, but it was damaged during a botched launch at the northern port of Chongjin, prompting a furious response from Kim.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
As many as two dozen died and Staten Islanders were livid at a botched cleanup.
—Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
Pulisic also botched a breakaway chance in the 45th minute when his pass for Weston McKennie in was too late, allowing Portugal’s defense to recover.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
An inmate’s seemingly clever plan to escape jail via the visitation room ceiling – after meeting with his attorney – proved to be botched from get-go, according to investigators in North Carolina.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
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Even young Oklahoma City required a clumsy postseason audition.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The driver and his accomplice then mounted a clumsy getaway that resulted in their scooter crashing about three blocks from the scene, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Fans were exiting en masse in the top of the ninth when Frelick’s RBI single off Rule 5 rookie Ryan Watson, fumbled by reigning AL Gold Glove centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, increased Milwaukee’s lead to three.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The few who described speaking with her told me that their interactions had been very brief—just a short, awkward hello.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Communication can be blunt and awkward.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 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.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
29 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.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the messages, Hooker said that the wind blew him and Lynette apart.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Neighbors and other observers in the area blew whistles, honked horns and yelled outrage, with some recording the detention from a distance, but the agents — wearing military-style fatigues and equipment — got the 57-year-old into a vehicle and drove away.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Scott would play Ben Wyatt, a former teen mayor who’d ruined his town financially and was now paying penance by becoming a state budget auditor.—
Jennifer Armstrong,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
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Voicer Peter Sulzicki may be correct in that the three-pointer has ruined the game of basketball.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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