as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
bungled the job the first time she tried to do it
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Recent Examples of bungle
Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
By the time Corbin filed a complaint to the Florida Bar on July 17, 2023, Stealth Supply had filed a complaint to the Florida Bar that Mullins bungled, then abandoned their case.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
If Welch’s considerable foibles have been dropped from the legend, the timeline bungled, the alcoholism and probable mental illness minimized, the use of racial epithets and the overt misogyny ignored, his death fetishized into a form of transfiguration . . .
—Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 26 June 2025
What to know about the German Shepherd tied to the Karen Read trial
Karen Read claims police bungled the investigation.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Noun
At the time, the district bungled its communication about Stacy's pay.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
By the time Corbin filed a complaint to the Florida Bar on July 17, 2023, Stealth Supply had filed a complaint to the Florida Bar that Mullins bungled, then abandoned their case.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
If Welch’s considerable foibles have been dropped from the legend, the timeline bungled, the alcoholism and probable mental illness minimized, the use of racial epithets and the overt misogyny ignored, his death fetishized into a form of transfiguration . . .
—Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 26 June 2025
What to know about the German Shepherd tied to the Karen Read trial
Karen Read claims police bungled the investigation.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bungle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungle
Verb
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While that might seem to be a bit too optimistic for a franchise that has historically fumbled from a depth perspective, the team can’t rebuild an entire defensive depth chart in one year.—
Mike Kaye
July 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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Despite being ripe for a GOP takeover, the local committee fumbled its chance to usher another Republican into office, instead focusing on its inner feuds.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
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This might seem like a minor quibble, but the fact that the new movie botches the whole wait-what-did-they-actually-do-last-summer thing speaks to a prevailing sense of laziness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
-
The 10-member panel’s first time out, in 2022, was a total botch, as the process was unconstitutionally hijacked by Democrats in the Legislature until it was stopped by the state’s highest court.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Bednar allowed a solo homer, a double, and a pair of singles to blow the lead for the Yankees.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Rake it from the lawn and sweep or blow it off walkways.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Yastremska decorated her Yonex bag with cute furry bobbles and ribbons in Ukrainian flag colors.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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During the Monday, June 16, episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actress and producer, 61, appeared in a black Stella McCartney suit covered with 3D metallic bobbles.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
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Freezing her eggs was a priority because chemotherapy could ruin her chances of fertility and natural birth.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Verb
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The bill, dubbed the most substantial housing package since the 1990s, unanimously passed the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
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Their offspring spread further west, and in 2011 a wolf dubbed OR7 by biologists made its way from Oregon to California, achieving minor celebrity as residents watched his progress on online cameras and cheered the breed’s success.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungle. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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