MUCK UP Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

muck up

verb

Definition of muck up

as in to fumble

to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way I swear, she mucks up everything she tries

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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 muck up Sure, all this meddling does muck up the pacing somewhat, but who cares? — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Teams continue to sag off Hart in the half court to try to muck up New York’s offense. — James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Well, the first and third mucked up their stories with some overly contrived lore about cults and gods, and the fourth was an experiment for the formula that didn’t quite work. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026 At least not Will Welch, GQ’s longstanding editor-in-chief and global editorial director, who was absolutely zen about the threat of an atmospheric river mucking up the mag’s Men of the Year celebration last night. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muck up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck up

Verb

But when Kansas fumbled the snap on a punt, resulting in a safety, Kansas State was able to take an 18-17 lead to the locker room.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Stockton, who also threw two interceptions, fumbled on a run from the Auburn 46.

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

Definition of fumble

Verb

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
There have been two times, and maybe three, since 2020 when Baylor should have won the game, but blew it.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

Then police closed that, too — at midafternoon Tuesday after a report of a suspicious package — fouling up traffic for New Yorkers even more.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
In the end, though, neither an explosion nor a giant spill of fluid that could foul up waterways and the ocean occurred.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Definition of foul up

Verb

This came just a few short months after he was arrested on charges of OWI in Wisconsin back in July, and happened the same day he was booted from the Korn Ferry qualifier for signing an incorrect scorecard.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The Eagles lost in heartbreaking fashion to Jacksonville in the final seconds as Cam Little booted a 57-yard field goal to hand the Birds their third straight loss.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of boot

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mucks up

muck up

mucky

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“Muck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck%20up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of muck up

verb

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