BUGGERING (UP) Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

buggering (up)

verb

present participle of bugger (up)

as in fumbling

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I've somehow buggered up the program again

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for buggering (up)

Verb

After fumbling the opening kickoff to set up a Panthers field goal and going three-and-out on their first series, the Packers (5-3) scored touchdowns on three of their next four possessions to take command.

— Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
After fumbling twice in Michigan State territory, halting offensive momentum, the Bruins were trailing going into the second quarter and tied 7-7 with three minutes left in the second quarter.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of fumbling

Verb

The professional and business services sector, as the agency classifies it, gained 70,000 jobs, blowing past its average monthly gain of 15,000 over the past year.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026
Electric fireplaces produce heat by blowing air over heated coils or with infrared light and can be used with or without the heating function engaged.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of blowing

Verb

New York landing Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker — who has emerged as the draft’s top quarterback prospect — would be a painful blow to Miami, though the Jets have a long tradition of screwing up young QBs.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
So not screwing up Spider-Man is about putting a beating heart at the center rather than a bunch of spectacle.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of screwing up

Verb

But life has a way of mucking up even the best plans, sometimes all at once and sometimes bit by bit and usually a little of both.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Amid the memory shortage that's mucking up component prices globally, at least Qualcomm has some promising news for folks hoping to pay less for a daily driver.

— Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026

Definition of mucking up

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buggering off

buggering (up)

bugger off

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“Buggering (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buggering%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of buggering (up)

verb

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