foul-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp How to pronounce foul-up (audio)
Definition of foul-upnext
as in mistake
an instance of confusion there was a foul-up with our mail order, and not one item arrived as ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

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foul up

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way tried not to foul up the football play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to trip
to make a mistake unfortunately, I fouled up and in my e-mail gave everyone the wrong date for the meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 foul-up
Noun
There are fewer opportunities for foul-ups and mishandling between flights when there are fewer connections and layovers. — Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Mar. 2025 That foul-up then gets included in the series of questions and answers, causing the final answer to go askew. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Verb
But their strategy was fouled up when the car’s occupants switched on the headlights, throwing a glare up the tote road along which the wardens had planned to sprint. — Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026 Wild turkeys gobbled up Staten Island straphangers’ time on Monday, after a flock fouled up service on the Staten Island Railway. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
  1. mistake
  2. fumble
  3. trip
  4. mix-up
  5. blow
  6. stumble
  7. confusion
  8. screw up
Noun
  • Our work shows that expressive cues appear to shift how people perceive a mistake out of the category of technical malfunction and into the category of social violation, like those that happen between people.
    — Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistake
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
  • Utilities use them to trip the opening or closing of valves when water levels reach a certain threshold or to dispense precise amounts of chlorine in the treatment process.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Solar deck lights come in two common varieties, one designed for stair risers so people don’t trip, and post-cap lights that mount on top of deck handrail posts.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of trip
Noun
  • Cassandra Barksdale and her attorneys filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Kaiser Permanente alleging the mix-up led to the surgery and months of physical and emotional pain.
    — Kim Chandler, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In the following days, election officials ensured voters that the mix-ups did not compromise the results.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of mix-up
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
  • Pochettino was hired in 2024 to right the ship after the men's team stumbled in a crucial tournament in the run-up to this summer's World Cup.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Facebook stumbled out of the gate and trended lower for months before bottoming at less than half its IPO price.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • As last week demonstrated, this is a recipe for confusion, uncertainty, and higher borrowing costs.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The deal acknowledges that even though the two facilities have similar names, the confusion among flyers is minimal.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusion
Verb
  • The fear of failure can do as much harm as actually screwing up.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • By the end, Kylian Mbappe, the form player of the tournament, could only screw up his nose in frustration.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of screw up

Browse Nearby Words

fouls up
foul-up
foul up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on foul-up

Nglish: Translation of foul-up for Spanish Speakers

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