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
Relevance
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.
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Recent Examples of foul-up
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Noun
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
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Verb
This brings back the Bilas comment from long ago on fouling up two.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
Noun
-
Here are the five hidden profile mistakes that stop your ideal clients getting in touch.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Jumping onto Andrew Cuomo’s leaky ship was a devastating mistake for the pro-Israel movement.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
While the pull chain is much easier than trying to fumble with a tiny button, the shade occasionally catches on it when closing.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
18 June 2025
-
His team had just fumbled a win on the biggest stage, and his eyes wandered.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
The union had earlier brought up the risks associated with the protective platforms after another visitor tripped over one, causing no damage.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
25 June 2025
-
In Death Stranding 2, players control a courier who trips over rocks, experiences sunburn, and faces his own possible obsolescence.—
Simon Parkin,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
However, Vance’s spokesperson said the mix-up was an innocent mistake.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
21 June 2025
-
Deena considered everything, from the possibility of her baby carrying both male and female anatomical traits to a lab mix-up.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
That connection and warmth was obvious on Friday night, with Cardi blowing past her bedtime to give the gays, the dolls and everyone else an experience beyond what any other NYC festival provides.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
28 June 2025
-
The sound of wind blowing and the floorboards settling is enough to prompt her to peer outside for possible hazards, hastily locking the front door after scanning the perimeter.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
After making it around the corner of a nearby Taco Bell, Muller appears to stumble, the footage shows.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
-
After seven years of searching the West for the perfect place to call home, Northern California author and wellness practitioner Osha Reader stumbled upon her peaceful High Sierra retreat by chance.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
That means naming the fear, the confusion and even the shame that might arise.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
That temptation, rich in moral confusion, runs through Leonardland, onscreen as on the page.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Why are investors so calm in a world filled with war and chaos? Because Iran’s options in terms of screwing up the oil market are actually quite limited.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
-
So that was kind of like the two guys who screwed up.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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