as in blunderer
someone who bungles an effort
the newest intern on the campaign is a butcher when it comes to writing press releases
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to slaughter
to kill on a large scale
the barbarians butchered the monks in the monasteries without mercy
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the new piano student butchered the sonatina
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
German and Czech immigrants who settled in Central Texas during the 1800s introduced meat-smoking and butcher shop traditions that later became foundational to what many now recognize as classic Texas barbecue, according to the Texas Historical Association.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
The deer must be completely butchered and de-boned before it can be brought into the state.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for butcher
Noun
The Duchess of Sussex's beautiful butcher-block island immediately caught my attention, and this rolling kitchen cart offers a similar cozy feel.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
German and Czech immigrants who settled in Central Texas during the 1800s introduced meat-smoking and butcher shop traditions that later became foundational to what many now recognize as classic Texas barbecue, according to the Texas Historical Association.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Verb
Stanley Tucci is back as Nigel, Miranda’s unfailingly loyal consigliere, who never butchers a bon mot or wears the same pocket square twice.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
The deer must be completely butchered and de-boned before it can be brought into the state.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for butcher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butcher
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
Verb
-
The animal was originally meant to be slaughtered for the Muslim festival of sacrifice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
But that isn't the only animal trauma that's stuck with me through the years, a fact that I was reminded of when watching episode 4 of Dutton Ranch and listening to cows scream as they were slaughtered.—
Samantha Highfill,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But then again, neither is the Bears fumbling and bumbling.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
In the Bay Area, fire and police departments in San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco have blown past their overtime budgets by tens of millions of dollars in recent years.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
Each basket drew a huge applause from the championship-hungry Garden crowd, including his slam in the final minutes of the first half after blowing by unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Victory Wembanyama.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
John Bennett was put to death after being convicted of raping and attempting to murder an 11-year-old girl.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
-
On the limited series, based on Araminta Hall’s 2020 novel of the same name, Washington plays Eleanor, a successful CEO whose life is upended when one of her best friends is murdered.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Then came what head coach Mike Brown dubbed the greatest play in the history of Knicks basketball.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Just like the band’s original recipe of shoving punk, dub reggae, hip-hop and ska into a blender, the new songs dutifully stick to the formula along with Jakob’s soulful caterwauls that sound scarily similar to his dad.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
As reported by Euronews, the opening planned for this weekend has been postponed to an unspecified date after severe winds mangled part of the artwork on the oldest bridge in the French capital.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Chopper 4 was on the scene where a white car was flipped over and completely mangled.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Years earlier, in 2001, the undercover detective involved claimed her career had been ruined by the case, and received around $166,000 in an out-of-court settlement, per the BBC.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
Think about it the next time a presidential rant ruins your coffee.—
Steven Andreasen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Butcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butcher. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
