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
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Recent Examples of botched
Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
After a game where everything wasn’t smooth sailing – Chicago had plenty of pre-snap penalties and Williams’ two fumbles came on botched snaps with the center – the young quarterback says these experiences are important if the team are going to continue improving.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
There are many stars in Francis Ford Coppola’s batshit crazy and, some would say, botched $120-million dystopian epic from last year, Megalopolis, which the legendary Hollywood auteur paid for out of his own pocket.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
Nick and Brett Favre run a penalty lap because of a botched exchange.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
After a game where everything wasn’t smooth sailing – Chicago had plenty of pre-snap penalties and Williams’ two fumbles came on botched snaps with the center – the young quarterback says these experiences are important if the team are going to continue improving.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Activist investor Sardar Biglari started his eighth proxy fight against Cracker Barrel, seizing on the chain’s earnings miss, stock slide, and botched $700 million rebrand to argue that CEO Julie Masino and the board have destroyed shareholder value.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
There are many stars in Francis Ford Coppola’s batshit crazy and, some would say, botched $120-million dystopian epic from last year, Megalopolis, which the legendary Hollywood auteur paid for out of his own pocket.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
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For starters, even at 4 mm by 4 mm, the Utah array would be too big and clumsy a hunk of hardware for Science to implant in the eye or Synchron to thread through a vein.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After taking an early 3-0 lead and forcing the Ravens to punt on their opening series, Tahj Washington fumbled after a catch and Baltimore’s Alohi Gilman scooped it up and returned it to Miami’s 7, setting up Jackson’s first touchdown pass to Mark Andrews.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
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He was sacked seven times and fumbled twice with both loose balls being recovered by the Bills’ defense.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The rise of digital payment systems has made tipping both easier and more awkward, especially when prompts appear at counters, kiosks and drive-thru windows.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Use this a couple of times a week for smoother, brighter skin (without getting sunburnt and sand in awkward places).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Chiefs bungled it in more ways than one, more than that fourth-down call, even if the most glaring is the decision to settle for three.—
Sam McDowell
November 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills were left stunned in Miami on Sunday afternoon as the Dolphins blew them out 30-13 in a crucial AFC East rivalry game.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The Patriots were 8-2, headed for 14-2 and a comeback victory over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI in Houston, where Atlanta blew a 28-3 lead with Shanahan as offensive coordinator and New England won 34-28 in overtime.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However her past experiences haven't ruined the actress' trips back home.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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That’s why his mistress threw in with Frank to intimidate Dale into a land deal that would have ruined any chance of Chutto’s family ever getting their land back.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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