as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I've somehow buggered up the program again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugger (up)
Verb
-
My manuscript was finally being read by editors, who responded with almost-wins — an overtime pass, fumbled.—
Tara Dorabji,
People.com,
16 Jan. 2025 -
Gone are the days of fumbling with cords and adapters—this smart board simplifies connectivity to keep your focus on what matters most.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Credit them with winning 10 games although losing three of their last four and blowing a chance to win the ACC championship and get into the playoff put a huge damper on the season.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
-
Chalamet stars in the Bob Dylan biopic and does his own singing, guitar playing, and harmonica blowing and sucking.—
Tony Maglio,
IndieWire,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For just one of 67 counties to use the wrong one could foul up an entire statewide count.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2024
-
See the stunning shot... AIRLINE 'CHAOS' – A flight was canceled after someone fouled up the aircraft amid delays.—
Fox News Staff,
Fox News,
19 Oct. 2023
Verb
-
When politicians screw up on a public stage, those blunders can be, at best, meme-ified and, at worst, career-ending.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
-
But Mike gets in his face to say that Brady's the one screwing up his own life.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2025
-
Well, Neptune and his Wildcats might just be ruining the convenient narrative.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
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.
Thesaurus Entries Near bugger (up)
Cite this Entry
“Bugger (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugger%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share