buggers (up)

verb

present tense third-person singular of bugger (up)
as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I've somehow buggered up the program again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buggers (up)
  1. fumbles
  2. blows
  3. murders
  4. boots
  5. screws up
Verb
  • So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture.
    — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • DeLand was driving inside the 20 yard line and Taihj Moore fumbles, recovered by Lake Mary.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fumbles
Verb
  • Miami fans had plenty to stress about as the UM offense misfired and Florida State responded to potential knockout blows with huge plays.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But when the final whistle blows, another job is often waiting for them the next morning.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • This included three of the women involved in the brutal Manson murders — Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten — all scheduled to be gassed.
    — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Joe almost murders Morgan (Sherry and Morgan in the same episode?
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of murders
Verb
  • Olise always takes it and boots the ball straight out of play.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Dominic Zvada boots a 31-yard field goal to give the Wolverines the lead.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Definition of boots
Verb
  • But what really screws up Julia are the deliveries.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Kyle tries to jump up the wall, lands awkwardly, and screws up his ankle.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of screws up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

buggers off
buggers (up)
bugger (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Buggers (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buggers%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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