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
Relevance
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 man watches the train tracks, and as the train comes into view in the video, the man then pushes the victim, who stumbles forward.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026 -
The Lakers are unlikely to catch either of those two teams, unless one stumbles and the Lakers keep winning.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
As in trips to the postseason, not trips down memory lane.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Sometimes, a virus trips a switch that results in the immune system turning on the host, even after the invader has departed.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the wind blows between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains, the velocity increases and carries the sand grains from the sandstone.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The wind buffets and blows inside the cabin, decreasing downforce and making acceleration less efficient.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
And then Ron somehow blunders his way into getting the number jacked up to $100,000 in return for their silence.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dominic Zvada boots a 31-yard field goal to give the Wolverines the lead.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Dec. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Goofs (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goofs%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
