1
as in stumbles
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 fumbles
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 goofs (up)
Verb
-
The dejected actor stumbles over to a marketplace to buy a drink, shoplift a lighter, and strike out with a lottery ticket.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Sep. 2025 -
Every founder stumbles—some in a very public fashion.—
Samantha Reynolds,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lake Mary’s O’Shea Faison fumbles after picking up the first down yardage.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Education Secretary went out on the Harbor for a short sailing demonstration with two counselors and O’Bryant High students Tuesday, overcoming some motion sickness to hear about the mechanics of the boat, Friday trips out to the Harbor islands, and sailing in storms.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
20 Aug. 2025
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This is a huge bonus for a clumsy gal like myself, who often trips over air.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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The mechanism blows inert gas across the fusion zone, preventing oxidation during the printing process.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody notices when the bassist slips up.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The show is not just the story of the fallout after 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) murders his classmate Katie (Emilia Holliday).—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Athens, Greece Athens glows beneath Mediterranean light, where marble ruins rise from its timeworn hillsides—from the world-famous Parthenon to the Temple of Hephaestus.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Egyptian officials shared one photo of the site, showing the mudbrick ruins of the settlement.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Goofs (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofs%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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