1
as in stumbles
to make a mistake
everything is riding on this project, so we can't afford to louse up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in fumbles
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for louses up
Verb
-
After a rocky start, Joey stumbles on some talents and goes to great lengths to impress Leonard in his audition for a play.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026 -
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Tensions between the galley and the interior continue to escalate over lunch service, when a radio mishap fumbles the order in which the food should go out.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
-
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
View from the East Wing includes reflections on four years in the White House as First Lady—a period that included COVID, the start of the war in Ukraine, trips overseas, and initiatives to bolster women’s health and community colleges.—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
11 June 2026
-
The appeal stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by a California man who argued that the ad features young children, even though some of the proceeds are directed toward programs that fund Israel trips for older teens.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Pinkas said that before the war, Iran was isolated under sanctions that choked its oil exports, dealing blows to its economy.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
Both the England and Croatia fans boo as the referee blows for the hydration breaks.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 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
-
Nothing ruins the start of a weekend away faster than wrestling with an overstuffed bag.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
-
Again, don't wring the suit, which ruins the shape.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 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
“Louses up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/louses%20up. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
