FOUL-UP Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

foul-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp

Definition of foul-up

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

foul up

2 of 2

verb

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

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

Noun

This is so many different kinds of humor piled together, from callback to callout to laugh-at-him-not-with-him arrogant mistake to conscious, hyperbolic comic echoing to edgy provocation.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
In the process of preparing his appeal, the username mistake that led to all these years of disruption was finally discovered.

— Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026

Definition of mistake

Verb

In Madison’s Capitol Times, Paul Fanlud detected some worry from Wikler that Democrats might fumble their project of governing Wisconsin long enough to reform it.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
On Sunday, the Guardians essentially created a compilation video for Little League coaches to show their kids, a crash course in fumbling the fundamentals.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

Brooks, who is recovering from back-to-back ACL injuries, took a kick return rep midway through practice and seemingly tripped with his momentum taking him head-first into rookie linebacker Jackson Kuwatch’s ankles.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
The 36-year-old Oakland resident called 911 on July 17 to report that his 5-year-old son appeared to be tripping on mushrooms, authorities said.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of trip

Noun

This complicated story of mix-ups and mishaps at sea will be accompanied by the pianist and organist Ben Model, who will share keyboard duties with Makia Matsumura throughout the festival.

— Tim Page, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026
The mix-up was uncovered two years ago when Kyle Bylin received an at-home DNA test as a gift.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of mix-up

Verb

Mayo, who raced around the court blowing kisses to the WSU fans after Mason’s game-ending 3, finished with 25 points off 3-of-9 3-point shooting.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
The Green Bay Packers endured a highly disappointing 2025 season, finishing 9-8-1 and blowing multiple double-digit leads, including a 21-3 Wild Card advantage against Chicago.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

Ella Rubin stars as Annie Jacobson, a high schooler who stumbles into a mystery when her grandfather dies and leaves her an island in Canada—along with a cryptic letter.

— Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
The story is compelling as ever and a reminder that Xbox stumbled onto some real magic back in 2001.

— Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of stumble

Noun

Washington — The Federal Reserve has remained mum about interest rates as inflation concerns have heightened, leading to confusion about the state of the US economy.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
That has generated confusion about how rules ought to be applied and advantaged some schools and conferences over others.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of confusion

Browse Nearby Words

fouls up

foul-up

foul up

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of foul-up

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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