as in fumbles
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 bungles
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungles
Verb
-
The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
If the creditor fumbles the process, then an otherwise valid and collectible debt may be barred.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sofia Carson blows kisses to the camera during the amfAR Gala Cannes 2026 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
Maybe our driver blows an engine.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
But the experience includes a few bobbles—call them growing pains.—
Brent Rose,
Outside,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Some noticeable opening night wobbles and bobbles only served to prove that point.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bungles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungles. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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