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
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
One month after firing the coordinator responsible for the league's worst unit (per EPA), the Rams muffed a third-quarter punt that gave Seattle a short field and a subsequent 24-13 lead.
—Dianna Russini, New York 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
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
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
One month after firing the coordinator responsible for the league's worst unit (per EPA), the Rams muffed a third-quarter punt that gave Seattle a short field and a subsequent 24-13 lead.
—Dianna Russini, New York 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
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 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 Avs blew a first-quarter lead.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
-
The timing is simply right for New York, while Cleveland had its best chance to change that in Game 1 — and blew it.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffed. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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