as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
you've mangled this so badly that we'll have to do it over
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Recent Examples of mangle
But to mangle a medical metaphor, exposure to AI is by no means fatal.
—
Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The facade of the locomotive was badly mangled and the truck also severely damaged, according to an Associated Press journalist at the scene.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
On the hood sat my key — mangled from being run over, but there.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Scientists mangled the message on masking.
—Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mangle
Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
The facade of the locomotive was badly mangled and the truck also severely damaged, according to an Associated Press journalist at the scene.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
On the hood sat my key — mangled from being run over, but there.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Scientists mangled the message on masking.
—Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mangle
Verb
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The stress of getting to your airport gate on time, coupled with the excitement of getting to your destination, can cause even the most seasoned of travelers to fumble at security checkpoints.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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Santillan appears to be fumbling away his opportunity, allowing nine runs (eight earned) over his last five appearances.—
Mike Barner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Interestingly, the blowing agent is derived from oyster shells discarded by the seafood industry, and the magnesium and calcium are sourced as natural byproducts of seawater desalination.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
-
Arizona had already established a commanding 7-2 lead going into the fourth inning, but the Diamondbacks blew the doors open by putting up a five-spot to take a 10-run lead.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The place is a sound-effects recording studio, with three sound designers creating and dubbing aural effects — footsteps on a sandy beach, flapping bird wings — onto pieces of film footage.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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The sound engineer at the mixing console is dubbed Pierre (Vincent Cassel).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Since 2015, it has been held in ten different cities, including Las Vegas, where a red carpet was constructed atop the Bellagio’s fountain pool, and Nashville, where rowdy attendees ruined bachelorette parties on Broadway.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Many riads were in a state of disrepair, crammed with striking examples of traditional craftsmanship going to ruin.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Disney has, for the most part, completely botched Star Wars.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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He was taken into custody at the scene, after botching several sobriety tests, body-cam footage shows.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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People began losing touch with butchering an entire animal, as well as with preparation methods for organ meats.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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Stanley Tucci is back as Nigel, Miranda’s unfailingly loyal consigliere, who never butchers a bon mot or wears the same pocket square twice.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who polled at 5% in the CBS survey, accused Becerra of bungling the federal government’s response to COVID-19, mpox and the influx in child migrants under former President Joe Biden.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Authorities bungle the case but still arrest a maintenance worker for the killings.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Covers personal property used to secure a loan as collateral if it's destroyed.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mangle. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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