as in mistake
an instance of confusion
there was a foul-up with our mail order, and not one item arrived as ordered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
tried not to foul up the football play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to trip
to make a mistake
unfortunately, I fouled up and in my e-mail gave everyone the wrong date for the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foul-up
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
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 All Example Sentences for foul-up
Noun
That foul-up then gets included in the series of questions and answers, causing the final answer to go askew.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Verb
In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
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 All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
Noun
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There have been expensive product mistakes and lots of trial and error with brushes, clips, hair dryers….—
Liz Krieger,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Case in point, over one-third of a side’s chance creation from a one-off mistake by their opponent, isn’t a formula for lasting success.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The characters in Megan Howell’s short stories, which glide into scenes of magical realism, are lonely people facing the harsh realities of an often violent world and fumbling toward something more hopeful.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
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During the Mets’ loss to the Marlins, Vientos was jogging to first base when Miami’s Graham Pauley fumbled the ball.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To drag their 13-3 record to that depth, the Padres would have to fall apart and trip over themselves numerous other times.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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While the elites were busy tripping over themselves to dismiss his campaign, President Trump was busy shining a light on the issues that matter to everyday Americans.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And What Changed? Frito-Lay issued a voluntary recall after discovering a packaging mix-up: fewer than 1,300 bags labeled as Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips may actually contain nacho cheese tortilla chips, which include milk.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The day's mishaps didn't end with the medication mix-up, either.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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April 17, 2025 The wind gusts could blow around unsecured objects and a few power outages may occur, the National Weather Service advised.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Apr. 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Woman Makes 'Creepy' Find In Thrift Store By Alice Gibbs Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A thrift store shopper from Scotland stumbled on something unexpected in her local store when a beautiful glass paperweight caught her eye.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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Contractors renovating a historic home in Belgium stumbled upon the entrance to a secret tunnel identified by archaeologists as an escape route from World War I.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In other words, bills still need to be paid no matter the confusion of politicians eager to distort the pricing mechanism that organizes the market economy.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But, Zach Pozniak, chief operating officer of Jeeves NY and co-author of The Laundry Book, is here to clear the confusion.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Who else is waiting for Matty to screw up with the voice modulator and accidentally call Mrs. B as herself?—
Rebecca Luther,
TVLine,
4 Apr. 2025
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The problem is, every executive in that business is trying not to screw up.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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