as in fumbled
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 bungled
Isak’s actions were disrespectfully militant, but Newcastle damagingly bungled the situation.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But both episodes will go down in state history as poorly handled, bungled beyond all understanding, the two shoves on our back that sent us spiraling out of control.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
Compare that to how Bondi prostituted the Justice Department to a vengeful president and bungled the entire Epstein matter.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Andrew Cunanan, and Beanie Feldstein’s wide-eyed Monica Lewinsky, a performance that might have achieved icon status had Disney not bungled the FX on Hulu rollout.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bungled
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But both episodes will go down in state history as poorly handled, bungled beyond all understanding, the two shoves on our back that sent us spiraling out of control.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
Compare that to how Bondi prostituted the Justice Department to a vengeful president and bungled the entire Epstein matter.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Andrew Cunanan, and Beanie Feldstein’s wide-eyed Monica Lewinsky, a performance that might have achieved icon status had Disney not bungled the FX on Hulu rollout.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bungled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungled
Verb
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During Miami’s two periods of special teams work Malik Washington fumbled his first kickoff return, but most of the other punt returners and kickoff returned fielded their attempts well.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
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Given how badly Karen Bass has fumbled as mayor, Raman couldn’t do much worse.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Every time an underperforming manager missed a deadline or botched a client presentation, Marcus would swoop in, grab the metaphorical hose and put out the fire himself.—
Janine Schindler,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Still, Iowa’s botched 2020 caucus, where problems with technology and organization delayed the results for more than two weeks, remained a concern among the committee members.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Winn blew the save, and the Giants lost in extras.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
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Caitlin Clark was part of another disastrous collapse on Saturday night, as the Indiana Fever blew a double-digit lead to the New York Liberty.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bungled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungled. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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