as in jumbles
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
this police procedural is basically a botch of plot elements stolen from other (and better) novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in fumbles
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
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Recent Examples of botches
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Continue reading … FACT CHECK – Washington Post botches Israel-Gaza history leading to major correction.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botches
Noun
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The result also spotlights conference championships’ awkward fit in the current system, particularly given the fact that conference expansion has led to jumbles atop each league’s standings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Dec. 2025
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Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Seahawks are a high-turnover team on both sides of the ball, but the 49ers have forced just two takeaways in the season series — both fumbles in the opener.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Honda backs up a few feet as the agent fumbles at the door handle.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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From fall-apart tender red lentils to sturdy French green or beluga varieties that hold their shape, there’s a lentil recipe for every mood and meal.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Jan. 2026
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Planting milkweed helps, too, but Alitzer said to stick to native varieties.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On a recent morning in midtown Manhattan, Spike Lee blows on an imaginary pair of dice before hurling them to the ground.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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Brunson fakes the swing to the right corner, blows past VJ Edgecombe, gets both feet into the paint, draws two defenders and finds OG Anunoby in the left corner.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Kroeze added that pleats, trouser styling, and clean washes are finding their way into premium men’s denim assortments.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
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For consumers, the near-term impact will likely mean tighter assortments on the shelf, fewer niche flavors and package variations, but more emphasis on crowd-pleasing core products.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Here, she's seen performing on her variety show, which featured a number of famous guests and her own musical medleys.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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A lot of those songs wind up in the polka medleys.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Thomas McKean is a New York City artist known for his elaborate MetroCard collages and sculptures.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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Flat has never felt so deep as in her meticulous drawings, paintings, and collages.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botches. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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