botched 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbächt How to pronounce botched (audio)
Definition of botchednext
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

botched

2 of 2

verb

past tense of botch
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
Adjective
Christa Pike, the death row inmate who survived a botched lethal injection attempt, has filed an emergency federal court motion to stop prison officials from transferring her back to her former housing block, claiming her life is in danger. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026 DePodesta claims Boutros convinced Boutros' boss, Blanche, and DePodesta's boss, Patel, to make DePodesta the scapegoat for a series of botched Midway Blitz prosecutions. — Chris Tye, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
Nebraska botched multiple plays in the kicking game and rushed for just 54 yards. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Coach Rhett Lashlee was already annoyed with special teams coming into the game, and that was before the Mustangs botched two PAT attempts. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
  1. clumsy
  2. fumbled
  3. awkward
  4. bungled
  5. blew
  6. ruined
Adjective
  • But even those fans of her socially clumsy and feverishly party-planning mayor’s assistant Patricia on that series may not be prepared for her soulful, wrenching work in Mike Leigh’s latest film.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And given how clumsy its efforts have been, this is clearly the leadership of the Department of Justice acceding to the wishes of the president of the United States even when there is no sound legal basis to proceed.
    — John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Verb
  • Replay review confirmed that Bachmeier had indeed fumbled, and separately confirmed that Moa had scored.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Earlier, Jones fumbled after backup tailback Evan Pryor failed to pick up Georgia linebacker Quintavius Johnson, who knocked the ball out of Jones’ hand.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of fumbled
Adjective
  • Mallen Kupferer, the daughter of two theater artists and an actor since early childhood, is a wonder to watch, her performance as authentic and awkward as any teenager.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The route passes through neighborhoods including NoDa and Plaza Midwood, offering lively pockets of support but also quieter stretches, awkward turns and hills that can feel particularly unforgiving late in the race.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • On September 30th, the state of Tennessee bungled its attempt to kill Christa Pike, who survived two injections of pentobarbital.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Though usually a very smooth operator, Latif has bungled the latest job for his handler Mike (Laith Nakli).
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of bungled
Verb
  • Then, however, the whistle blew and officials said that the previous incomplete pass intended for Tremble was under review.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The long school holiday was coming to an end, and though the sunlight still offered the brightness of summer, the breeze that blew suggested the sombre quality of autumn.
    — Yasushi Inoue, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of blew
Verb
  • The tumult of these raids, which played out daily on TV and social media, ruined lives and hurt local economies.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Morgenthau left Coburg hoping to become a writer or poet but was forced to pivot to law after hyperinflation ruined his family’s finances.
    — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of ruined

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botched
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Cite this Entry

“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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