as in fumbled
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
muffed the repair job and had to do it again
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Recent Examples of muffed
Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.
—
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
One month after firing the coordinator responsible for the league's worst unit (per EPA), the Rams muffed a third-quarter punt that gave Seattle a short field and a subsequent 24-13 lead.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Moments later, Cody Hagen muffed the ensuing kickoff, and the Yellow Jackets recovered.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
However, Cincinnati muffed a punt that allowed TCU to take over at the Cincinnati 33-yard line.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Nov. 2025
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
But early in the second half, with the Seahawks leading 17-13, Smith muffed another kick and the Seahawks recovered the ball.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
One month after firing the coordinator responsible for the league's worst unit (per EPA), the Rams muffed a third-quarter punt that gave Seattle a short field and a subsequent 24-13 lead.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Moments later, Cody Hagen muffed the ensuing kickoff, and the Yellow Jackets recovered.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
However, Cincinnati muffed a punt that allowed TCU to take over at the Cincinnati 33-yard line.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Nov. 2025
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffed
Verb
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The attempt to create a viable and vibrant residential hub arrives after years of neglect and fumbled strategies by the prior owner, an affiliate of Z&L Properties.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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The city fumbled the rollout of the parks bond and now the residents are paying — in both money and exasperation, Inserra noted.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Authorities said a tractor-trailer car hauler blew a tire while traveling eastbound on I-10 near Valencia Road, causing the truck to hit a guardrail, roll into the median and burst into flames, CBS affiliate KOLD reported.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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The smoke from the island fire blew east to the California coast and will be impacting air quality early this week, the National Weather Service in San Diego reported.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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