foul-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈfau̇(-ə)l-ˌəp How to pronounce foul-up (audio)
Definition of foul-upnext
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

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foul up

2 of 2

verb

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foul-up
Noun
There are fewer opportunities for foul-ups and mishandling between flights when there are fewer connections and layovers. — Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 5 Mar. 2025 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
Verb
But their strategy was fouled up when the car’s occupants switched on the headlights, throwing a glare up the tote road along which the wardens had planned to sprint. — Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026 Wild turkeys gobbled up Staten Island straphangers’ time on Monday, after a flock fouled up service on the Staten Island Railway. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul-up
  1. mistake
  2. fumble
  3. trip
  4. mix-up
  5. blow
  6. stumble
  7. confusion
  8. screw up
Noun
  • Our work shows that expressive cues appear to shift how people perceive a mistake out of the category of technical malfunction and into the category of social violation, like those that happen between people.
    — Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • Most of the world was fumbling and scared, and Fauci seemed to have some idea of what to do.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • After Duran took third on a fly ball, pinch-hitter Joc Pederson hit a ground ball up the middle that was fumbled by Taylor Walls, allowing Duran to score.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of fumble
Verb
  • Brooks, who is recovering from back-to-back ACL injuries, took a kick return rep midway through practice and seemingly tripped with his momentum taking him head-first into rookie linebacker Jackson Kuwatch’s ankles.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
  • The 36-year-old Oakland resident called 911 on July 17 to report that his 5-year-old son appeared to be tripping on mushrooms, authorities said.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Definition of trip
Noun
  • This complicated story of mix-ups and mishaps at sea will be accompanied by the pianist and organist Ben Model, who will share keyboard duties with Makia Matsumura throughout the festival.
    — Tim Page, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026
  • The mix-up was uncovered two years ago when Kyle Bylin received an at-home DNA test as a gift.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of mix-up
Verb
  • Photos show that chunks of ceiling have fallen in two rooms and leaves have blown into a few others, suggesting there are some holes that need to be patched up immediately.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Pirates have blown 20 of 42 save opportunities this season and already released reliever Dennis Santana, who began the year splitting the closing duties with Gregory Soto.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Pochettino was hired in 2024 to right the ship after the men's team stumbled in a crucial tournament in the run-up to this summer's World Cup.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Facebook stumbled out of the gate and trended lower for months before bottoming at less than half its IPO price.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumble
Noun
  • As last week demonstrated, this is a recipe for confusion, uncertainty, and higher borrowing costs.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The deal acknowledges that even though the two facilities have similar names, the confusion among flyers is minimal.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusion
Verb
  • The fear of failure can do as much harm as actually screwing up.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • By the end, Kylian Mbappe, the form player of the tournament, could only screw up his nose in frustration.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of screw up

Browse Nearby Words

fouls up
foul-up
foul up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul-up. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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