1
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
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2
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
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Before that, when the Jets could have taken the lead on their opening drive, Allen fumbled on the Dolphins’ 1-yard line.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026 -
The Spurs had one more chance, but Stephon Castle fumbled the inbounds pass and pandemonium at Madison Square Garden followed.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Referee Nicolae Rainea blows his whistle.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Imagine a world where the weather forecast calls for winds blowing at 11,000 miles per hour (18,000 kilometers per hour) and nighttime showers of liquid metal, rubies and sapphires.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, that last part seems to trip some people up.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Germany was awarded the penalty shot after Felix Nmecha was tripped in the box by Riechedly Bazoer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Verb
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But four years ago, Sorsby screwed up in a massive way.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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The two screwed up a top-rope stunner as Excalibur struggled to explain what happened like a 2026 Jim Ross.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The Grimm Brothers fairy tale follows a pair of famished siblings who get lost in the woods and entrapped by a child-eating witch, after stumbling upon her cottage made of candy.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
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The memorial effort dragged for years as the private onePulse Foundation, originally tasked to create it, stumbled and then collapsed amid excessive ambition that produced a plan for a $100 million memorial and museum the group had no ability to fund.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The Spurs rose up and ruined that party, winning their only game of the series.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Historically, barrels of Madeira spent months crossing tropical oceans aboard ships, and merchants realized that the heat actually improved the wine rather than ruining it.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Detroit did slip up in Game 5 at Little Caesars Arena, although Detroit blew a 60-52 halftime lead in that contest.—
Juan Carlos Blanco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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What makes all this so engaging is the knowledge that eventually, one side or the other will slip up and people will get hurt, and the confidence that Nemesis’s inner world is so vibrant that the fallout will just be as compelling as the lead-up.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
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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
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An incorrect connection or approach can foul up a line, damage a plane or cause an accident.—
Tara Copp The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Goof (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goof%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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