cock-ups

noun

plural of cock-up, British
as in shambles

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cock-ups
  1. botches
  2. messes
  3. disasters
  4. fiascoes
  5. catastrophes
Noun
  • During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.
    — Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of botches
Noun
  • Coffee spills, muddy shoes, pet mishaps, and everyday messes don’t have to turn into decorating disasters.
    — Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Tackle stubborn messes effortlessly with the Roborock Qrevo Edge 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of messes
Noun
  • Its chief instructor, Wang Kuanghan, has said plans are underway to open five more centers in China within three years, expanding the simulations to other disasters, including fires and earthquakes.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The administration initially talked about abolishing the agency, arguing that states and communities could deal with disasters on their own.
    — Dana R. Fisher, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of disasters
Noun
  • Contained within all these fiascoes is a subtly different conservative movement.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Trump is the most corrupt and scandal-plagued president since Nixon; indeed, his fiascoes eclipse Nixon’s, but many of them remain mostly or somewhat hidden, thanks in part to a much more acquiescent Republican Congress than the one Nixon had.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of fiascoes
Noun
  • This palette also has a latch tab that locks the lid in place, avoiding any potential catastrophes.
    — ElleAnna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Fee’s attempt to serve as savior will only trigger further catastrophes.
    — Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of catastrophes
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.

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cock-up
cock-ups
cocky
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Cite this Entry

“Cock-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cock-ups. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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