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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of botched
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
For the purpose of microwaving team chemistry, Sykes and center Temi Fagbenle learning how to communicate through a botched dribble handoff is as important as Mabrey learning that forward Nyara Sabally is a fan of coconut ice cream.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 May 2026
ABC News, 8 May 2026
Such was the scale of frustration that Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, had to acknowledge that the rollout was botched, and the company reinstated access.
—Cody Turner, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Adjective
Knowing how much Truman enjoyed the botched headline, Tribune leadership had the page emblazoned on a bronze plaque during the newspaper’s 125th anniversary with the intent of presenting it to him.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
For the purpose of microwaving team chemistry, Sykes and center Temi Fagbenle learning how to communicate through a botched dribble handoff is as important as Mabrey learning that forward Nyara Sabally is a fan of coconut ice cream.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Verb
Kwan singled up the middle, advanced to second when Angel Martinez was hit by a pitch and scored when Minnesota second baseman Luke Keaschall botched a grounder hit by Ramírez.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Such was the scale of frustration that Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, had to acknowledge that the rollout was botched, and the company reinstated access.
—Cody Turner, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for botched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botched
Adjective
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But less fine is Kreutzer’s decision to make Kühn’s own domestic challenges a parallel story, set up in clumsy counterpoint with Lucy’s.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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Salmonflies, however, are bigger and clumsier than smaller insects like mayflies.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
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 Z&L Properties.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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The city fumbled the rollout of the parks bond and now the residents are paying — in both money and exasperation, Inserra noted.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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After her death, Riley read her diaries, an awkward experience at times.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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On-screen, Armitage’s portrayal of the socially awkward Sheldon has earned him critical acclaim.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Apollo's acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo's online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Authorities said a tractor-trailer car hauler blew a tire while traveling eastbound on I-10 near Valencia Road, causing the truck to hit a guardrail, roll into the median and burst into flames, CBS affiliate KOLD reported.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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The smoke from the island fire blew east to the California coast and will be impacting air quality early this week, the National Weather Service in San Diego reported.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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And then to add insult to that heaping helping of figurative injury, the nachos took some collateral damage and were effectively ruined.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botched. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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