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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bungle
Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
And the quarterback position heading into the 2025 campaign was bungled, particularly considering the 14-win season Minnesota experienced in 2024 and the quality of the roster outside of the most important position this fall.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2026
Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Verb
With an 11-0 start for the first time since the 1990s, the Aggies bungled the last two games of the season losing to Texas in Rivalry Week and Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoffs.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
And the quarterback position heading into the 2025 campaign was bungled, particularly considering the 14-win season Minnesota experienced in 2024 and the quality of the roster outside of the most important position this fall.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2026
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
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Do not fumble this opportunity to select a governor that is a true progressive candidate.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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In turn, the Heat fumbled it away.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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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
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Negotiators from the seven states along the Colorado River blew past yet another federal deadline over the weekend without reaching a compromise on how to share its water — even as this winter’s dismal snowpack could spell immediate disaster for the river system.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
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Snow flurries are blowing at an angle, the sky is a leaden grey, and visibility is poor.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Figure skater Amber Glenn skated off the ice, shaking her head after an early landing bobble during today's competition.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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After the run, Svindal said that bobble after the jump occurred because Vonn has been tending to land on one ski — her right one, which is attached to her non-injured knee, to take pressure off the injured knee.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, blues fans may delight at seeing close-ups of vintage album covers of greats like Lonnie Johnson or Blind Lemon Jefferson, while Elvis fanatics will recognize the King’s 1957 movie musical, Loving You, which Cook watches dubbed in German at Vienna’s Kinokulturhaus.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Hermon’s burger is dubbed the Ode to Chez cheeseburger as a not-so-subtle nod to the restaurant that never was.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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