butcher 1 of 2

noun

ˈbu̇-chər How to pronounce butcher (audio)
Definition of butchernext
as in blunderer
someone who bungles an effort the newest intern on the campaign is a butcher when it comes to writing press releases

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

butcher

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to slaughter
to kill on a large scale the barbarians butchered the monks in the monasteries without mercy

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2
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way the new piano student butchered the sonatina

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of butcher
Noun
The modern kitchen is loaded with storage, including some secret spots in the butcher-block peninsula, and the bathroom’s terra-cotta tiling is a nice touch. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 July 2026 The butcher’s son in a nearby town became chief psychiatrist of the Central Intelligence Agency. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 July 2026
Verb
Maryland is home to a large Jewish community, many of whom had significant numbers of relatives who were butchered by the SS in concentration camps. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026 The theory is that individuals became infected by a strain that was particularly lethal to the young through close contact with marmots (rodents that are known reservoirs of the plague), perhaps while butchering them. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for butcher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butcher
  1. incompetent
  2. slaughter
  3. fumble
  4. blow
  5. murder
  6. dub
  7. mangle
  8. ruin
Noun
  • The Dodgers reached the pinnacle honestly, in a capitalistic structure that properly hands no favors to the incompetent.
    — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Jan. 2026
Definition of incompetent
Verb
  • This was painting a bright red bullseye on the hog that was soon to be slaughtered.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Although scarce documentation has left a wide range of estimates, as many as 2 million people are said to have been slaughtered in communal massacres during this exodus.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Definition of slaughter
Verb
  • With personal terms already agreed then, all that’s left is for FC Barcelona to persuade City with its transfer package and not fumble this in a manner that would open the door to Real Madrid once more.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And Cam Skattebo fumbled at the end of a long run when Layne punched the ball out and corner Korie Black recovered.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Photos show that chunks of ceiling have fallen in two rooms and leaves have blown into a few others, suggesting there are some holes that need to be patched up immediately.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Pirates have blown 20 of 42 save opportunities this season and already released reliever Dennis Santana, who began the year splitting the closing duties with Gregory Soto.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • The entire act of murdering the Dama encapsulates so many aspects of Negan’s character.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Scott was murdered in front of the building that houses the Bereshit Lifestyle Center, where Elizabeth Baron, 27, went into cardiac arrest just the day before after being injected with NAD+, a trendy anti-aging treatment.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • Unfortunately, the group offered amazingly little of that over the course of the night, minimizing the bells and whistles during what could be properly dubbed a fairly boring stage show overall.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Last month, the Federal Communications Commission cleared US startup Reflect Orbital to launch and operate the satellite, dubbed Earendil-1.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dub
Verb
  • Old tree roots have mangled sidewalks and created obstacles for pedestrians, especially parents with strollers and people using wheelchairs.
    — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Photos released by the agency show the pickup truck mangled and nearly unrecognizable after the violent plunge, with debris scattered across the rocky mountainside.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of mangle
Verb
  • Meals are taken family style, and the refinement of the cooking will ruin ordinary Indian restaurant fare for you.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • With baseball ruined, the Dodgers will look to avoid their second consecutive series loss via the sweep on Wednesday, sending superstar starter Eric Lauer to the mound against Shota Imanaga.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin

Browse Nearby Words

butch
butcher
butchered
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Cite this Entry

“Butcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butcher. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of butcher for Spanish Speakers

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