1
as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
tried not to foul up the football play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trips
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fouls up
Verb
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If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026 -
Sonny feels like a departure; unlike Bernthal’s mercenaries, Sonny fumbles with his gun, has a bleeding heart, and lays his vulnerabilities bare.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Plus, the amount of walking that Japan trips require is no joke.—
Elaina Verhoff,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
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Jones, playing a rugged nonconference schedule every year, went 133-125 in eight seasons at TSU, leading the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament trips from 2021-23, including winning a pair of First Four games.—
Matt Young,
Houston Chronicle,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Earlier this week, Becerra traded blows with Villaraigosa in campaign ads as previous polls showed the two struggling to break out of the splintered field of candidates.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Dornan eats a popsicle and blows a bubble from a piece of blue chewing gum, but that’s not the only playful piece.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich follows the titular law firm worker who stumbles upon records involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company's culpability in a contamination incident.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
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Bankman-Fried stumbles through an answer about payments.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Geillis, on her quest to install Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne, murders her husband as a blood sacrifice and walks through the stones.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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In 1971, a jury in Los Angeles recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers for the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At Baku, however, the car looks to be a podium contender, potentially fighting for the win if McLaren slips up.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
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Along the way Texas needs to hope Seattle slips up, or else that final weekend in Cleveland could wind up being meaningless.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fouls up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fouls%20up. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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