LOUSE UP Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

louse up

verb

Definition of louse up

as in to stumble

to make a mistake everything is riding on this project, so we can't afford to louse up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to fumble

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I loused up the wallpapering job in the bedroom—the seams show too much

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of louse up Maybe one party simply wants out for no apparent reason Anything can louse up the deal. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026 Which is to say that America’s most prominent vaccine skeptic could have the power to upend, derail, or otherwise louse up a cornerstone of public health. — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024 Conversely, one of the easiest ways to louse up a team on draft day is to load up a team with players who aren’t going to produce at a level commensurate with when they were drafted. — Gary Davenport, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for louse up

Verb

Almost sounds silly now, with the way the team has stumbled and bumbled its way through the first four games.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Of the seven clubs that had 14 or more players from their organizations appear in the WBC, several stumbled early and only the Phillies and Brewers made the postseason.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

The Cougars were stopped at the UCF 3 on consecutive drives before Overmyer fumbled at the UCF 7 and into the end zone, recovered by the Knights.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
On Friday, the Rams waived punt returner Xavier Smith, who fumbled in last season’s NFC championship game and made several decision-making errors against the Broncos.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

But up here on the terraces of the Anantara Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi, the shrieks of day-tripping cruise passengers, zipping back and forth in Tango-orange tenders, are pleasantly faint.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Beckett Sennecke drew a tripping penalty on Gustav Forsling midway through overtime, but Florida nearly killed the penalty before Carlsson found Granlund in front for his first goal.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of trip

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

Browse Nearby Words

louses up

louse up

lousily

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Style

“Louse up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/louse%20up. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of louse up

verb

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