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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foul-up
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Rather, inflation had arisen from supply chain foul-ups caused by the Covid epidemic, an act of God rendered worse by comic-opera mismanagement under President Donald Trump.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 June 2023
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The funding lapse led to delayed or suspended economic data, wreaked havoc at airports as flights were canceled due to air traffic controller shortages and fouled up the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Nov. 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
Rather, inflation had arisen from supply chain foul-ups caused by the Covid epidemic, an act of God rendered worse by comic-opera mismanagement under President Donald Trump.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 30 June 2023
Verb
These people are aiming to foul up the central database.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The funding lapse led to delayed or suspended economic data, wreaked havoc at airports as flights were canceled due to air traffic controller shortages and fouled up the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
Noun
-
Wahlin said that there’s a difference between making a mistake and making a hard-working mistake.—
Dean Spiros,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Mikaela Shiffrin improved from 12th following a costly mistake in the opening run to finish fifth and protect her lead in the overall standings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a stunning blowout Friday night, KU fumbled its conference tournament semifinal against the Houston Cougars, losing 69-47.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This alone can shave valuable minutes off your screening and help you to breeze through the scanner instead of fumbling at the bins.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Less than a minute into the game, Wild defenseman Brock Faber went to the penalty box for tripping and the Rangers converted on the ensuing power play.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Nor is the scene in which Cory trips on mushrooms on Hollywood Boulevard (which is probably true of half the people walking there).—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Patience demonstrates care and prevents avoidable mix-ups.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
-
As an homage to the Moonlight–La La Land mix-up, Kristi Noem was granted the new Best Homeland Security Secretary award, only for it to be revealed during her speech that the prize belonged to Markwayne Mullin.—
Charlotte Y. Levy,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame an early 14-point deficit before blowing most of a 24-point lead and recovering to hold off the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115 on Monday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
When Italian thieves blew apart Knightsbridge, Prager could have fled.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The movie follows Rick Power (Rudd), a wedding band singer who stumbles into a late-night jam session with former boy band star Danny (Jonas) and reignites his passion for songwriting.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Just a nibble on a leaf or petal can lead to rapid kidney damage with loss of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy and sometimes neurological signs such as stumbling, tremors and seizures.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Down comforters are a cozy addition to your bedding but can cause a bit of confusion in how to launder and care for them.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In lockdown and confusion and fear following an attack at nearby Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the staff at Soul Café made pizza — cheese, mushroom and margherita.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Sens are going to lose their pick for nothing at all, because of how a GM their fans didn’t like screwed up a trade his team wasn’t even involved in.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
And gun-safety groups say that anything that makes the rules more complicated and unclear could really screw up the system.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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