as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
muffed the repair job and had to do it again
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Recent Examples of muffed
The sure-handed Doubs muffed the recovery with less than two minutes remaining and the Packers leading by 7.
—
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 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
Cherry Creek ended up punting, and Cash Spence muffed the fair catch, which the Bruins recovered inside the 5-yard line.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Kicker Brady Denaburg missed a potentially game-tying, 51-yard field goal, and then U returner Koi Perich muffed bouncing punt in the shadow of the goalposts.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 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
Cherry Creek ended up punting, and Cash Spence muffed the fair catch, which the Bruins recovered inside the 5-yard line.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Kicker Brady Denaburg missed a potentially game-tying, 51-yard field goal, and then U returner Koi Perich muffed bouncing punt in the shadow of the goalposts.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffed
Verb
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Ball security The Hurricanes have fumbled the ball four times in the past two games and lost two of them — one apiece by Malachi Toney (first round against Texas A&M) and Fletcher (quarterfinal against Ohio State).—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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Kennedy fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his phone, the source of the noise.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the curtain came down, Hilty waved and blew kisses to the crowd.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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LaFleur has one year remaining on his contract, and his job status came into question after the Packers blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead in Saturday night’s 31-27 playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffed. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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