as in fumbling
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've mangled this so badly that we'll have to do it over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mangling
Where was Michael Hill, the commissioner’s office executive serving as Team USA’s general manager, while his manager was mangling the stakes of the situation?
—
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Bruce, my sincere apology for 40 years of mangling your songs in the car.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
When Jets safety Malachi Moore went to tackle Hill, the wideout’s leg got caught underneath him, mangling the appendage in the process.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Bruce, my sincere apology for 40 years of mangling your songs in the car.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025
When Jets safety Malachi Moore went to tackle Hill, the wideout’s leg got caught underneath him, mangling the appendage in the process.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mangling
Verb
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But Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace hit three-pointers while Smart was fumbling the ball and James and Hachimura were missing shots, while an Oklahoma City 8-0 run eventually gave them another 13-point lead that was never again challenged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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The result leaves nearly every performer fumbling for traction in Serkis and Stoller’s muddy-yet-gutless cinematic sty.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The music is eclectic and often gorgeous, the emotional intensity still capable of blowing all else away.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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Think of the way the path smells ahead of you, think of the freedom the wind is blowing your way.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The duo joined with a third operator, Larry Beck, merging their companies in 1968 and dubbing it Waste Management.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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Heck, one agent still harps on me not dubbing one of his clients All-Rookie First Team half a decade ago.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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ProPublica has chronicled the dark world of pig butchering, in which human traffickers in Asia force their victims to scam people by posing as friends or potential romantic interests.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2026
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While pig butchering operations are veering toward the sophisticated and professional, horrendous abuses persist.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The story follows a respected college basketball coach who is accused of murdering his mistress.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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Smith was convicted and sentenced to life for murdering her sons.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Unchecked homelessness is ruining our cities and communities.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mangling. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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