as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
bungled the job the first time she tried to do it
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Recent Examples of bungle
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Burnett did not relent, and Miramax arguably buried the film, bungling its marketing.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
In a Wednesday social media post published shortly after the release of May inflation data, Vance accused the Fed of bungling its job to balance price growth and unemployment through interest rates.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Anderson’s twist on the bungling crime picture is hilariously low stakes and inconsequential, but Bottle Rocket has real insight into the feeling of young people cast adrift.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Noun
What to know about the German Shepherd tied to the Karen Read trial
Karen Read claims police bungled the investigation.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Burnett did not relent, and Miramax arguably buried the film, bungling its marketing.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
In a Wednesday social media post published shortly after the release of May inflation data, Vance accused the Fed of bungling its job to balance price growth and unemployment through interest rates.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 11 June 2025
Anderson’s twist on the bungling crime picture is hilariously low stakes and inconsequential, but Bottle Rocket has real insight into the feeling of young people cast adrift.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
Verb
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But then Superman lost flight and Warners fumbled the lucrative Reeve franchise greatly.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
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Ferguson couldn't find the end zone once, and even fumbled the ball four times, after preventing fumbles entirely during his first two seasons in the league.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
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This might seem like a minor quibble, but the fact that the new movie botches the whole wait-what-did-they-actually-do-last-summer thing speaks to a prevailing sense of laziness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
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The 10-member panel’s first time out, in 2022, was a total botch, as the process was unconstitutionally hijacked by Democrats in the Legislature until it was stopped by the state’s highest court.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Kaus was setting up the umbrella when a gust of wind blew her off a lifeguard stand, dropping her on the point end of the 1-inch metal pole, NJ.com reported.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 July 2025
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In the marquee Challenger matchup of the weekend, a rematch of the Mid-Season final, Las Vegas blew the doors off of Nashville.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Yastremska decorated her Yonex bag with cute furry bobbles and ribbons in Ukrainian flag colors.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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During the Monday, June 16, episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actress and producer, 61, appeared in a black Stella McCartney suit covered with 3D metallic bobbles.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Some adults agreed, but others made comments about me ruining the mood.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
20 July 2025
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Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Two men of strikingly disparate height are dubbed Mutt and Jeff.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 July 2025
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That’s right, the Super One’s grille can contain a massive LED screen dubbed its F.A.C.E., or, Front AI Communication Ecosystem.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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