as in shambles
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cock-up
Noun
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Of course this was a calculated power play, not a bureaucratic botch.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026 -
During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That mess led to sacrifice flies by Christian Walker and Cam Smith, giving Houston a 2-0 lead.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
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There is no way Swalwell could have represented his constituents, much less run for higher office, while mired in this mess.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But that holds about as much promise as Elon Musk’s fiscal fiasco — remember DOGE?—
Jackie Calmes,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Man’s folly of fiascos is a feast for the flies.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Now, researchers plan to extend their investigations to nearby early settlement sites to determine if Culasawani is a midden or muddle.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
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Spurs’ playing squad is a muddle, the legacy of a generation’s worth of short-termism and too many coaching changes to mention.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Use a bag bungee Trying to balance a travel tote on top of a rolling suitcase is a disaster waiting to happen, especially when navigating crowded terminals.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
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When the smoke alarm stayed silent, one very loud dog made sure his family didn’t sleep through a disaster.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Who needs a mild anti-monarchist outburst, given the far thornier international debacle on the BAFTAs stage?—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Trader Joe's said on the settlement website that no one had reported identity theft from the receipt debacle.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cock-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cock-up. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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