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

Well, his speed off the edge can cause a quarterback to make mistakes — the kind of game-changing mistakes from which the Chiefs did not benefit a year ago.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of mistake

Verb

After Jordan fumbled away a screen pass, Maiava later found Mosley for that 68-yard score.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Balogun didn’t hurt his stock or his public image by walking away from Everton, a club that fumbled its way through another transfer window.

— Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

At one point Hussain, having to contend with more limited space in the box with another person in there, nearly trips over a box.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Gillian Jacobs as Jerri Dougan Gerry was the starting quarterback for the Catfish at the beginning of the first season until Danny (Frankie Rodriguez) — the school mascot who helps turn Russ into Chad and keep up his illusion — trips him.

— Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of trip

Verb

But since then, Nosková has solidified while Sabalenka has stumbled, and the Czech has also gotten through some tough matches to reach this one.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Byron Nelson stumbles again Normally an area power, Trophy Club Byron Nelson is off to a rocky start.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of stumble

Noun

The third round of Premier League matches brought yet more controversy, including an unpunished kick to the head in a London derby and confusion around a goal disallowed for handball.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of confusion

Verb

That doesn’t mean the Yankees screwed up in their process by trading for Stanton.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Every time a player screwed up, the coaching staff and his teammates received a text message, calling out both the infraction and the guilty party.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of screw up

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 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of foul-up

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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