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
Dave Savini, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Two members of the Israeli team were killed at the time of the attack, and nine athletes and a West German policeman would die in a botched rescue attempt at an airport.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
The murders of three tourists in Kissimmee over the weekend has now become fodder for Florida’s attorney general to again attack Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, claiming her office botched an earlier case against the suspect.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
The botched raid happened back in 2018.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Two members of the Israeli team were killed at the time of the attack, and nine athletes and a West German policeman would die in a botched rescue attempt at an airport.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Since the company first started lifting the satellites to space in 2019, streaks of light have botched countless observations.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
The murders of three tourists in Kissimmee over the weekend has now become fodder for Florida’s attorney general to again attack Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, claiming her office botched an earlier case against the suspect.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
-
The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.—
Kendall Hunter,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Who wants to sit through a fictitious novelist’s clumsy drafts?—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In turn, the Heat fumbled it away.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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The attempt to create a viable and vibrant residential hub arrives after years of neglect and fumbled strategies by the prior owner, an affiliate of real estate firm Z&L Properties.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Reaching backward or twisting around other people to grab a bag is awkward and strains muscles.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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These things are often awkward at the best of times and with the best of families, but this oddball mess of a household might just be the actual worst.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Andrew Cunanan, and Beanie Feldstein’s wide-eyed Monica Lewinsky, a performance that might have achieved icon status had Disney not bungled the FX on Hulu rollout.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
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Chapek bungled the fallout, and as Disney’s business got hammered by the pandemic, the board ultimately brought Iger back in to steady the ship.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Duke blew a 15-point lead in the second half of that one and allowed the last nine points.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Simu Liu is attached in the lead role of Brad Katsuyama, who blew the whistle on high-tech corruption in the financial industry, with Anthony Bregman set to produce.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Certain songs could be ruined forever.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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