GOOF (UP) Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

goof (up)

verb

Definition of goof (up)

as in to fumble

to make a mistake we must have goofed up somewhere, because this cake clearly didn't turn out right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to blow

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way he goofed up his first sale at the dealership

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for goof (up)

Verb

On the first play of Rutgers' next drive, Surace was sacked at the Rutgers 8 and fumbled with Northwestern’s Jamaal Johnson recovering.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The Chiefs actually missed a 43-yard field goal that would have won the game in regulation — after Justin Houston forced Lamar Jackson to fumble — but won the game with a short kick in overtime.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

Stephen Curry scored 24 points, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg added 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in his home debut, but the Warriors blew it as Memphis capitalized with a 17-0 run.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Either way, that would widen the deficit and blow past the government's 5% GDP target.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

And maybe trips like this can help the nomad way of life survive.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Up until tonight, Raman has done a good job of communicating a message of hope and change, while Bass, as the incumbent, has repeatedly tripped on her record over the biblically bad four years of her first term.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of trip

Verb

There was upset after upset, and a few teams were on the verge of stumbling as well.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Next week will bring major risks for a stock market that's trying to find its footing as the AI trade continues to stumble, with several megacap earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting and a key inflation report in store.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Each room is also outfitted with a Yale smart lock, which means there’s no room for that horrible feeling of losing a room key to ruin your vacation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

The Iberians slipped up big time in their first match of the tournament, being shocked by Switzerland 1-0, bringing back ghosts of tournament failures past for Spanish fans.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
But for taxpayers with a solid compliance history who slip up once, automatically applying relief—instead of reserving it for those who know to ask—is a welcome change.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of slip up

Verb

Then police closed that, too — at midafternoon Tuesday after a report of a suspicious package — fouling up traffic for New Yorkers even more.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
In the end, though, neither an explosion nor a giant spill of fluid that could foul up waterways and the ocean occurred.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Definition of foul up

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.

Browse Nearby Words

goofs (up)

goof (up)

goofy

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Goof (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goof%20%28up%29. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of goof (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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