MUCK UP Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

muck up

verb

Definition of muck up

as in to fumble

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I swear, she mucks up everything she tries

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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 muck up Sure, all this meddling does muck up the pacing somewhat, but who cares? — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Teams continue to sag off Hart in the half court to try to muck up New York’s offense. — James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Well, the first and third mucked up their stories with some overly contrived lore about cults and gods, and the fourth was an experiment for the formula that didn’t quite work. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026 At least not Will Welch, GQ’s longstanding editor-in-chief and global editorial director, who was absolutely zen about the threat of an atmospheric river mucking up the mag’s Men of the Year celebration last night. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muck up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck up

Verb

On third-and-3 in NU territory, running back Damian Henderson II fumbled the handoff, and NU linebacker Brus recovered it at the NU 20.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Secure bags together with an industry secret Airline staff have an ability to bob and weave through terminals without fumbling their bags.

— Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

Giudice struck a few poses for the camera before blowing a kiss to wrap the clip.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
More is surely going on, undetected or unreported, even as there has been a minor online symphony of whistle-blowing, alarm-bell tolling, and pleas for legislative action.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of blow

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

To me, that would ruin all of the progress baseball has made over the last five years.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
My personal concern is especially based on the fact that their huge need for additional electricity generation could very well ruin our ability to reduce carbon emissions and avoid a climate crisis.

— Martin Kushler, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

If Windows crashes or won't boot, those extras disappear, but JetKVM itself keeps working because it is still connected directly to the computer's screen, keyboard and mouse.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026
On fourth-and-1 at the New England 45-yard line early in the fourth quarter, Lock faked a handoff, booted left and threaded a short pass through the arms of defensive tackle Milton Williams to Smith-Njigba, who took over from there.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of boot

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mucks up

muck up

mucky

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“Muck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck%20up. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of muck up

verb

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