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.
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
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Rather, inflation had arisen from supply chain foul-ups caused by the Covid epidemic, an act of God rendered worse by comic-opera mismanagement under President Donald Trump.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 June 2023
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
Also, if Utah or Miami were to score an upset in the opening round, St. Louis would have first dibs at taking that team instead of Orlando, which would foul up these predictions completely.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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
Rather, inflation had arisen from supply chain foul-ups caused by the Covid epidemic, an act of God rendered worse by comic-opera mismanagement under President Donald Trump.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 June 2023
Verb
The funding lapse led to delayed or suspended economic data, wreaked havoc at airports as flights were canceled due to air traffic controller shortages and fouled up the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
Also, if Utah or Miami were to score an upset in the opening round, St. Louis would have first dibs at taking that team instead of Orlando, which would foul up these predictions completely.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
Noun
-
In the dugout, after hitting an RBI single off Zac Gallen, Kyle made the mistake of catching a video of the TV broadcast.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
According to our cleaning pros, these are the most common mistakes people make with comforters, and simple fixes that keep them smelling clean all season.—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Illinois is at risk of fumbling this opportunity.—
Susana A. Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Though the darkness of the material never swamps the comedy, a balance McGee calibrated deliberately — less interested in the whodunit than in the women fumbling through it.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Senior forwards Quinton VeDepo (elbowing) and Cade Sherman (tripping) received minor penalties, giving the Cadets four minutes with a man advantage.—
Andrew Cornelius,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The arrival of a wave of glamorous day-tripping journalists who hopped in from France seemed, to the Spanish press censor, to herald a shift in the feeling of the war.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the mix-up also could have occurred in April 2025, when an embryo was implanted into Score at the clinic, Hatfield added.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
-
An Olympic official said there was a mix-up with Valieva's grandfather's heart medication.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And the wind that crosses Montezuma Mesa blows into the faces of the divers.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
During that period, unsecured outdoor objects may be blown around, and driving on some roadways may become difficult.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The scientists who stumbled on the rare recording are eager to use it for science.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Workers stumble upon historic burial site and 'incredibly rare' find during sewer project.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Adding to the sense of confusion, police said that the twins frequently share clothes and use the same phone numbers and ID documents.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Pausing PreCheck risked significant delays and frustration at airports like LAX, where passengers encountered closed lanes, long lines and confusion on Sunday morning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That might be kind of screwed up.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
That seems like our priorities are screwed up.—
Terry Gross,
NPR,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
