as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
bungled the job the first time she tried to do it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bungle
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
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 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Verb
At that point, the day had been characterized by sloppiness and frustration, with Bears pass catchers failing to secure at least a half-dozen catchable throws from their quarterback and, on three occasions, bungling fourth-down opportunities.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
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 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
The admission is just the latest bungle from New York’s beleaguered legal marijuana program, which has been hamstrung by legal challenges, a slow rollout and gaps in the law that allowed an illicit market to flourish.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
Verb
-
But Jaylen Petty fumbled the outlet pass after the steal, and UCF (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) recovered to set up Fulks' jumper to go up by two possessions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The rest of the team was also fumbling, and everyone but Edwards had struggled to score.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
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
-
This might seem like a minor quibble, but the fact that the new movie botches the whole wait-what-did-they-actually-do-last-summer thing speaks to a prevailing sense of laziness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
After his cover was blown, Pine managed to get Teddy alone to play him secret recordings of Roper revealing that the antagonist never intended to acknowledge Teddy as his legitimate heir.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Seattle had watched Smith bobble and nearly lose a punt earlier in the game, and sent a similar concept at him via its gunners, making Smith’s catch more difficult (and giving the gunners more time to get to him) by punting as high in the air as possible.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Caught it, but not until after a bobble as he was getting thrown backward.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
To say much more would be to ruin the wild twists and turns that unfold as the night marches onward.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The week-long operation, dubbed Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, involved dozens of agencies and led to the rescue of 12 adults and five children in Los Angeles County alone, officials said during a news conference.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Vela said the forthcoming ordinance, dubbed the TRUST Act, would improve discussions around the city's use of surveillance technologies.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
