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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Recent Examples of muck up
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
While the Governor's Cup may be safe, there are other ways the ACC's and SEC's scheduling moves could muck up Louisville's future football schedules.
—Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muck up
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
While the Governor's Cup may be safe, there are other ways the ACC's and SEC's scheduling moves could muck up Louisville's future football schedules.
—Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muck up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck up
Verb
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Before that, when the Jets could have taken the lead on their opening drive, Allen fumbled on the Dolphins’ 1-yard line.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
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The Spurs had one more chance, but Stephon Castle fumbled the inbounds pass and pandemonium at Madison Square Garden followed.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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In the Bay Area, fire and police departments in San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco have blown past their overtime budgets by tens of millions of dollars in recent years.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
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Each basket drew a huge applause from the championship-hungry Garden crowd, including his slam in the final minutes of the first half after blowing by unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Victory Wembanyama.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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But four years ago, Sorsby screwed up in a massive way.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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The two screwed up a top-rope stunner as Excalibur struggled to explain what happened like a 2026 Jim Ross.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The Spurs rose up and ruined that party, winning their only game of the series.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Historically, barrels of Madeira spent months crossing tropical oceans aboard ships, and merchants realized that the heat actually improved the wine rather than ruining it.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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If not for Kevin Orie’s failure to glove a Ricky Gutierrez grounder leading off the third, which was ruled a hit, Wood might have had a no-hitter to boot.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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Charter Communications , Cognizant Technology Solutions , Insmed , Verisk and Zscaler are the companies being booted from the index.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck%20up. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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