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
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
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
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Recent Examples of bungle
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
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
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Verb
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
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
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
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
Adjective
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For those things that are bigger, or subject to rough forces like clumsy human hands, through-hole soldering is still required, with leads poked through a connective hole and solder applied to connect and join them securely.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
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The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Jedi-in-training Rey (Daisy Ridley), reluctant hero Finn (John Boyega) and X-wing warrior Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) lead the ragtag Resistance against a returning Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in a film that's full of logic fumbles and muddies the focus of the third and final trilogy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Related Articles Brown finished his NFL career with 13 interceptions and six fumble recoveries in 71 regular-season games, along with the two interceptions in the playoffs.—
Josh Dubow,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Bill Belichick’s daughter-in-law seems none too pleased with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson, shading the 24-year-old for her behavior during the Super Bowl winner’s awkward new CBS interview as former Patriots Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski defended Hudson.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
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The situation was made more awkward by the lack of support from anyone else at the table.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
30 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
Adjective
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That was a reference to the botched Tonight Show transition at NBC where O’Brien, then the popular host of NBC’s Late Night, was promised The Tonight Show to stay at NBC.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
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Accidental reveal One Russian military blogger inadvertently revealed the extent of the Ukrainian advance during a botched effort to downplay the advance on Monday.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Then there’s the inept producer Jeff (Alex Wolff), sound guy Justin (Joe Apollonio), and the only Spanish speaker, Elena (Ulman), all of whom scramble to make a new plan.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
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Meanwhile, inept commentator Buck Laughlin (Fred Willard) vainly attempts to provide colorful tidbits about each breed.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But Elmer is equally incompetent there, too, robbing the wrong train, failing at safecracking, miscalculating explosives and getting ignobly killed by lawmen in an Oklahoma shootout in 1911.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2025
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However, problematic ones try to control every outcome, usually out of fear of failure or appearing incompetent.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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