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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bungle
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Has Trump bungled the economy? President Donald Trump’s approval ratings on the economy and inflation have fallen after weeks of tariff policy twists and turmoil in the stock market, according to a new poll.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
These are times the team put themselves in a position to pick up one point — and sometimes two — and bungled it.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Rogen is well cast as flustered Matt Remick, a bungling new CEO for the ailing Continental Studios.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Verb
Thao was accused of bungling the city’s finances, contributing to a budget shortfall that will almost certainly require sweeping cuts across government departments.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Has Trump bungled the economy? President Donald Trump’s approval ratings on the economy and inflation have fallen after weeks of tariff policy twists and turmoil in the stock market, according to a new poll.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
These are times the team put themselves in a position to pick up one point — and sometimes two — and bungled it.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Rogen is well cast as flustered Matt Remick, a bungling new CEO for the ailing Continental Studios.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
Verb
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The stress of getting to your airport gate on time, coupled with the excitement of getting to your destination, can cause even the most seasoned of travelers to fumble at security checkpoints.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2025
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For example, if an officer sees someone swerving, fumbling with items, or clearly not paying attention to the road, the interior light might factor into a citation for reckless or inattentive driving.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 May 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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In addition, strong winds over desert areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
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Those cops do more than blow whistles and bark signals.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 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.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
Verb
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This led the team to create a virtual collection, dubbed the StableText2Lego dataset, with 47,000+ Lego structures.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Cryptocurrency Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a bill, dubbed the GENIUS Act, that would have introduced some regulations on stablecoins, or digital currencies that are pegged to the value of a specific asset.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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