as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
he booted the answer of what should have been an easy question
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kick
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings
the fans got a real boot out the team's lopsided victory over its longtime rivals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of boot
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Duran booted a water bottle on his way down the tunnel while manager Unai Emery was enraged by Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall putting his finger to his lips and telling the Spaniard to be quiet.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Always clear your shoes or boots with a solid stomp before stepping onto the mat.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boot
Verb
The legendary quarterback, who spent two decades leading a dynasty with the New England Patriots, has all-time NFL records and seven Super Bowl rings to boot.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Duran booted a water bottle on his way down the tunnel while manager Unai Emery was enraged by Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall putting his finger to his lips and telling the Spaniard to be quiet.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
Pair it with boots and a sweater in winter, then swap to a T-shirt and flats or sandals once spring comes.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Always clear your shoes or boots with a solid stomp before stepping onto the mat.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boot
Verb
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The attempt to create a viable and vibrant residential hub arrives after years of neglect and fumbled strategies by the prior owner, an affiliate of real estate firm Z&L Properties.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Blue Demons’ guard panicked, fumbling the ball, and Fudd read her perfectly.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The guys in blue kick toward the yellow poles but the guys in white just kick it back across the field.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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With four direct free-kick goals under his belt in 2025-26, Liverpool haven’t had a more potent dead-ball specialist since Luis Suarez netted five in 2012-13.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There was a short pursuit on the freeway, which ended when a tire blew on the SUV.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Taubitz remains the one to beat, but after her teammate faltered on her third run, the medal competition was blown open.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the middle of it all, songwriter Diane Warren paused to take a selfie, still evidently enjoying the giddy thrill of being in a room full of fellow hopefuls even after 17 times.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Plenty of moments on The Fall-Off remind of the hunger of his early mixtapes, the purposeful thrills of his 2010s hits, or even the misguided zaniness of KOD, though none materialize in meaningful doses.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The week-long operation, dubbed Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, involved dozens of agencies and led to the rescue of 12 adults and five children in Los Angeles County alone, officials said during a news conference.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Vela said the forthcoming ordinance, dubbed the TRUST Act, would improve discussions around the city's use of surveillance technologies.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Applying baking soda to some surfaces or materials could ruin it, scratch it or lose its shine, according to the pros.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Video
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"
Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk
Cite this Entry
“Boot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boot. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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