as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
muffed the repair job and had to do it again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 muffed
Anisimova got to within two points of the finish again, with Parry serving at 5-6, but then muffed a short, low backhand long.
—
James Hansen, New York Times, 30 May 2026
In the top of the second, with two runners on, David Hamilton hit a one-hop liner to center field that PCA simply muffed, allowing the ball to roll all the way to the wall and three runs to score.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Moments later, Cody Hagen muffed the ensuing kickoff, and the Yellow Jackets recovered.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
However, Cincinnati muffed a punt that allowed TCU to take over at the Cincinnati 33-yard line.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Nov. 2025
James Hansen, New York Times, 30 May 2026
In the top of the second, with two runners on, David Hamilton hit a one-hop liner to center field that PCA simply muffed, allowing the ball to roll all the way to the wall and three runs to score.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Moments later, Cody Hagen muffed the ensuing kickoff, and the Yellow Jackets recovered.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
However, Cincinnati muffed a punt that allowed TCU to take over at the Cincinnati 33-yard line.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffed
Verb
-
Big shock, but the only goal came from an Arsenal corner as Riccardo Calafiori headed in a Rice delivery that was fumbled by Altay Bayindir (6ft 6in; 198cm).—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Second baseman Luis Arraez had a chance to turn a double play on Montgomery’s grounder but fumbled the ball and had to settle for one out.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The Yellow Jackets blew an 8-2 lead before recording an out in the fourth.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
1 June 2026
-
The 22-year-old Wembanyama was emotional, bursting into tears as the final horn blew and again choking back emotions after being named the Most Valuable Player of the WCF.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffed. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
