as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
I refuse to let that bungling incompetent insult me again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fumbling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungling
Adjective
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At times, Alcaraz was almost as clumsy as Federer in his last hurrah here against Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025 -
But things get weighed down by a clumsy body-swapping plot and a pairing between Joe and 22 that never fully pays off.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Advertisement To illustrate this point, consider the best man at a wedding who, instead of celebrating the couple, shares personal stories that only serve to embarrass them, often with awkward details that have no place in such a tender moment.—
Matt Abrahams,
Time,
12 July 2025
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An historic night at Madison Square Garden on Friday night turned into an awkward moment in the wee hours of Saturday morning at the Taylor-Serrano 3 post-fight press conference.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Glenn was also convicted in separate trials for two other murders: the June 19, 1975, killing of 28-year-old motel cook Daniel Van Lone during a botched robbery, and the June 27, 1975, murder of 19-year-old Army soldier Winfred Proffitt during a drug deal, according to The Denver Post.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
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After a botched rep of a five-on-five drill the team was running, star guard Marina Mabrey pulled the starting group into a huddle.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The Yankees, who still lead the American League with 370 runs scored, have been completely inept at the plate.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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So, what’s the difference between being awkward and being inept?—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Some seemed to be downright incompetent, Marquez told the jury.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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The defense has argued that others possibly killed O’Keefe inside that home and that the police were either too incompetent or corrupt to investigate that angle.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bungling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungling. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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