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

The first version stumbled spectacularly—employees persuaded it to stock novelty tungsten cubes and sell them at a loss—but later iterations became considerably more competent.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
But then our son stumbles into the room and burrows between us, his warmth radiating right alongside my light.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

In March, Melissa Graybill, 52, watched her mother, who is 69, begin an arduous recovery journey after tripping while getting off a horse.

— Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Most drug development campaigns only discover whether candidates trip this sensor late in the game, forcing drug developers to go back to the drawing board.

— Brittany Trang, STAT, 14 July 2026

Definition of trip

Verb

The night quickly blew open from there, a 10-7 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies that was uglier than the final score and further sank Sheehan’s season.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026
As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of blow

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

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
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

Definition of foul up

Verb

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of ruin

Browse Nearby Words

louses up

louse up

lousily

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“Louse up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/louse%20up. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of louse up

verb

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