buggers (up)

verb

present tense third-person singular of bugger (up)
as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I've somehow buggered up the program again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buggers (up)
  1. fumbles
  2. blows
  3. murders
  4. boots
  5. screws up
Verb
  • Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026
  • The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 May 2026
Definition of fumbles
Verb
  • But their erotic encounter is short-lived, as Joe tumbles and blows his back out while sheepishly dancing to Sade.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Eleni riding in the backseat of a convertible as the wind blows through her curls.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • Moriarty has reported on the yogurt shop murders for over 30 years.
    — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • Not the family stuff, like Natalie’s spontaneous nipple piercing after making out with Cady’s maybe-daughter, Nevaeh (Malia Pyles), who later murders her own mother after kissing her, for way too long, on the mouth.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of murders
Verb
  • Dominic Zvada boots a 31-yard field goal to give the Wolverines the lead.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Definition of boots
Verb
  • But what really screws up Julia are the deliveries.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of screws up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

buggers off
buggers (up)
bugger (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Buggers (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buggers%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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