as in mistake
an instance of confusion
there was a foul-up with our mail order, and not one item arrived as ordered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
tried not to foul up the football play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to trip
to make a mistake
unfortunately, I fouled up and in my e-mail gave everyone the wrong date for the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of foul-up
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Noun
That foul-up then gets included in the series of questions and answers, causing the final answer to go askew.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Many have faulted Cuba’s Stalinist bureaucratic centralization, but few critiques are as replete with concrete examples of foolishness and foul-ups.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Verb
This brings back the Bilas comment from long ago on fouling up two.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
Noun
-
Scott, whose lone major was 12 years ago at the Masters, didn’t make a mistake since a soft bogey on the opening hole and looked far younger than his 44 years down the stretch with brilliant iron play and enough putts for a 67, leaving him one shot behind.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2025
-
The Cubs, though, have provided structure, positive reinforcement and the runway to make mistakes and figure out what works.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır fumbled the ball on the edge of his area, allowing Villa forward Morgan Rogers to take possession and put the ball into the net.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
26 May 2025
-
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones — Jones came up in the discussion about fumbling, but that will not stop him from being the leading backfield producer for the Vikings.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
First, Kane, who took four penalties in Monday’s Game 3, was called for high-sticking forward Tomas Nosek and then Nurse tripped Barkov.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
-
Longer trips sail to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Honduras.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Michelle Williams recalls Busy Philipps telling Ben Affleck to 'do something' during Oscars Best Picture mix-up Joining Humes, Williams, Van Der Beek, Holmes, and Jackson on the series were Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, Busy Phillips, and Mary Beth Peil, who played Williams' grandmother Evelyn.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
9 June 2025
-
From getting delayed due to a flat tire, to an annoying reservation mix-up at the hotel they were supposed to be staying at (the kids deserve all the credit here for not throwing a fit), Gomez and Zahn’s script requires the trio to brave a variety of awkward situations.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2025
-
Dort may not have picked up a foul on this particular play, part of a special second-half suffocation of Haliburton, but there are other moments like this when an official blows the whistle.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Scott made the turn at even-par but a bogey-bogey-double bogey stumble from holes Nos. 14-16 ended his tournament.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
Then in 2022, with escalating inflation and consumer pressure, the stock stumbled again with a 63% drop.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Some of those who chose to evacuate didn’t do so promptly, and there was widespread confusion whether evacuation was necessary at all.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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Two recent scientific reviews performed by the British National Health Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found little scientific support for the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgery for youth with gender confusion.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
After their underlings screwed up the Geneva trade agreement, the two bosses had to get involved which must be frustrating for them.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
Rice is notoriously easy to screw up, and quick rice can get a bad rap.—
Sarah Felbin,
SELF,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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