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
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Recent Examples of bungle
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, the kid has thrown for over 3,000 yards with 19 TDS to only 5 INTs, has led the team back multiple times in 4th quarters only to have the coaches bungle things, and holds an ongoing record for most passes by a rookie QB with no picks.
—Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Still, the robbery sent an Oklahoma sheriff’s posse and bloodhounds after these bungling desperados.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
In a late January letter to Hochul, Torres accused her of bungling oversight of New York’s early intervention program for toddlers with developmental disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Verb
Rogen is well cast as flustered Matt Remick, a bungling new CEO for the ailing Continental Studios.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, the kid has thrown for over 3,000 yards with 19 TDS to only 5 INTs, has led the team back multiple times in 4th quarters only to have the coaches bungle things, and holds an ongoing record for most passes by a rookie QB with no picks.
—Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Still, the robbery sent an Oklahoma sheriff’s posse and bloodhounds after these bungling desperados.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
In a late January letter to Hochul, Torres accused her of bungling oversight of New York’s early intervention program for toddlers with developmental disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
Verb
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Later in the first period, Theodore fumbled the puck into the skates of his teammate, Hertl, on their way out of the defensive zone, and Foligno added to Minnesota’s lead.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
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Every moment spent fumbling with gear in those temperatures came at a cost—to fingers, batteries, and hard drives alike.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
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Braden Mann’s botch of the opening kickoff, Luke McCaffrey’s 47-yard return and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.’s unnecessary roughness penalty embodied the sloppy play that’s recently been awarding opponents advantageous field position.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Vindman and his twin brother, Alex, both blew the whistle on Trump’s attempt to withhold military aid to Ukraine while pressuring the country’s leader to investigate the family of President Joe Biden.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
28 Apr. 2025
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What’s the dish that’s most likely to blow a skeptical traveler’s mind?—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Washington Commanders fans have not forgotten about Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker's spelling bobble last week.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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Its circular design fits the decor perfectly while leaving room to prevent damage to any bobbles and accessories.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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There is nothing that can ruin trying to sleep through a redeye like the sunrise hitting your face.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Drivers can now use two new lanes to traverse a six-mile stretch of Interstate 4 in Central Florida that is part of what was dubbed the most-congested corridor in the nation.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2025
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Around 102,000 people moved from California to the Lone Star State in 2022 alone, the Texas Realtors' 2024 Texas Relocation Report found—a phenomenon so common it has been dubbed Texafornia.—
Mark Weinstein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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