as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
a botched attempt to mend relations with our disaffected European allies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the first time we tried to make a cake, we botched the job completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of botched
Dave Savini, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Two members of the Israeli team were killed at the time of the attack, and nine athletes and a West German policeman would die in a botched rescue attempt at an airport.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
The murders of three tourists in Kissimmee over the weekend has now become fodder for Florida’s attorney general to again attack Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, claiming her office botched an earlier case against the suspect.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
The botched raid happened back in 2018.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Two members of the Israeli team were killed at the time of the attack, and nine athletes and a West German policeman would die in a botched rescue attempt at an airport.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Since the company first started lifting the satellites to space in 2019, streaks of light have botched countless observations.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
The murders of three tourists in Kissimmee over the weekend has now become fodder for Florida’s attorney general to again attack Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, claiming her office botched an earlier case against the suspect.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
-
Isabel, sitting in a driving-range stall, is nearly hit with a ball when a clumsy golfer clangs it off a metal railing.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The results are often enervating though sometimes clumsy.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In turn, the Heat fumbled it away.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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The image became a meme, repeatedly used to portray Miliband as awkward.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The communication was straightforward and a bit awkward, sadly missing the mentions of Nancy Guthrie’s humanity that had peppered the family’s first video.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chapek bungled the fallout, and as Disney’s business got hammered by the pandemic, the board ultimately brought Iger back in to steady the ship.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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With an 11-0 start for the first time since the 1990s, the Aggies bungled the last two games of the season losing to Texas in Rivalry Week and Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoffs.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Back then, the average team still featured three starters who threw enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, probably had an ace who blew past 200 innings and had multiple pitchers with double-digit wins.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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After Lathan Sommerville drew consecutive trips to the line, and no whistle blew when Dent was contacted on a drive, Cronin ran onto the court, throwing his fists in anger, and yelling at an official.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Certain songs could be ruined forever.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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