BUNGLED Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

bungled

verb

Definition of bungled

past tense of bungle

as in fumbled

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way bungled the job the first time she tried to do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bungled On September 30th, the state of Tennessee bungled its attempt to kill Christa Pike, who survived two injections of pentobarbital. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 Though usually a very smooth operator, Latif has bungled the latest job for his handler Mike (Laith Nakli). — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026 Citing a Pulitzer-winning New York Times investigation, the Republican argued Becerra bungled the handling of the influx of child migrants that lead thousands to be trafficked into dangerous jobs. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Sandusky has tried almost nonstop since his sentencing to have his June 22, 2012, conviction overturned, arguing first that his lawyers bungled the case. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026 On Monday, a judge on Staten Island temporarily blocked the city from implementing the tax due to a lawsuit brought by a group of homeowners who allege the city bungled the rollout of the tax. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 For now, the press still sometimes bungled his name as Harry. — Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026 Apollo’s acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo’s online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer. — Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026 Apollo's acquisition came after Verizon Communications bought Yahoo's online operations in 2017 and then bungled an attempt to blend those services into AOL, another internet pioneer. — ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungled

Verb

Carr fumbled while trying to spike the ball, and Isaiah Glasker pounced on it to help the Cougars maintain a two-score lead going into the locker room.

— John Coon, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Then, with Georgia a first down away from a game-winning field-goal attempt, Stockton fumbled the ball.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of fumbled

Verb

Continue reading … NOT ENOUGH — Kash Patel demands apology from MS NOW following botched Russia report.

— , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Alou reacted demonstrably, and the Marlins went on to score eight runs in the inning, sending 12 batters to the plate, as Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez botched a routine double-play ball.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of botched

Verb

But head coach Ben Johnson isn't going to be happy that his team nearly blew a 24-point lead with just over 12 minutes to go.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
On Saturday morning, temperatures in the fire area were in the mid-80s and winds blew at about 15 mph.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blew

Browse Nearby Words

bungle

bungled

bungler

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bungled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungled. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bungled

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes