BUGGERING (UP) Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

buggering (up)

verb

present participle of bugger (up)

as in fumbling

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I've somehow buggered up the program again

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for buggering (up)

Verb

Witnesses’ fumbling looks bad by comparison, and Ossoff sounds righteously angry without being rageful.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
On Sunday, the Guardians essentially created a compilation video for Little League coaches to show their kids, a crash course in fumbling the fundamentals.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of fumbling

Verb

This typically occurs when a vent is blowing cold air onto your thermostat, resulting in a temperature reading that is too low.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
The Vikings defense’s blowing a coverage happened so rarely that seeing it during last summer’s joint practices with the New England Patriots felt like spotting an eclipse.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of blowing

Verb

Myers nails the realistic teen who is a far cry from the unflappable Nancy Drew, screwing up plenty and often terrified of what she's gotten herself into.

— Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
First of all, don’t hide misdeeds and screwups, which comes naturally by not committing misdeeds and not screwing up.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026

Definition of screwing up

Verb

Amid the memory shortage that's mucking up component prices globally, at least Qualcomm has some promising news for folks hoping to pay less for a daily driver.

— Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
At least not Will Welch, GQ’s longstanding editor-in-chief and global editorial director, who was absolutely zen about the threat of an atmospheric river mucking up the mag’s Men of the Year celebration last night.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025

Definition of mucking up

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buggering off

buggering (up)

bugger off

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“Buggering (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buggering%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of buggering (up)

verb

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