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 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 Lawmakers need to get back to Washington to end the government shutdown - a shutdown that has mucked up travel plans around the country by contributing to widespread flight delays. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muck up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck up

Verb

Eugene Levy‘s fumbling birds and the bees talks comprise some of the funniest moments of American Pie — and most of them were improvised.

— Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026
But in her concentration, Porsha fumbled her words, which made the Faithfuls, who were desperate for a crumb of evidence so early in the game, suspicious of her sincerity.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Definition of fumble

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

The region has also booted nuclear power, closing a number of plants.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026
What is clear is that the Celtics’ front office sees great potential in their 2025 first-rounder, even after head coach Joe Mazzulla booted him from the rotation in the final weeks of his rookie season.

— Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 July 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of muck up

verb

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