as in fumbles
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
bungled the job the first time she tried to do it
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Recent Examples of bungles
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungles
Verb
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After successfully bluffing his way into the house, Tom fumbles an attempt to hide his reasons for being there, leading Robbie to take him hostage.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
-
While both teams were in position to flip some results, the Ravens have to feel a little snakebitten with how their games have played out, including a couple of fourth-quarter Derrick Henry fumbles.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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During last week's WWE SmackDown, a series of mistakes and botches drew harsh criticism from fans.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Farming them also drives desertification in Mongolia, where the dust blows high in June, polluting the air as far afield as America, and making workers ill.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
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Some games, like ones against the Bears and Panthers, this team blows golden opportunities to get into the win column.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bungles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungles. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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