as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
I refuse to let that bungling incompetent insult me again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fumbling
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungling
Adjective
-
The character first appears in the franchise’s original film Scream (1996) as the older brother of Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan) and the clumsy police deputy trying to help solve the murders in their town of Woodsboro.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025 -
Aviles’ dismissal, for a clumsy challenge on the edge of the penalty area, seemed set to turn the game.—
Martin Rogers,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
When Anne Hathaway co-hosted the ceremony with James Franco in 2012, it was widely panned as the Academy's awkward attempt to attract younger viewers.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2025
-
However, whether the friendship will survive the awkward gift exchange remains to be seen.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
After a botched attempt by Burberry to move upmarket, Schulman outlined a new strategy for the struggling brand in November, which included a greater focus on its key emblems, such as outerwear and its signature check, and a wider pricing structure.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Sonos had a horrible 2024, thanks to a botched app update that culminated in the resignation of its CEO.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And the Shelton factory would not have been on even the most inept anarchist’s to-hit list.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Once more unto the breach arrives Donald Trump, back in office with more help from the Kremlin—and the inept Democrats—ready to throw his old pal Putin a lifeline.—
Garry Kasparov,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Anyone can file a petition in probate court in Florida seeking to declare an adult incompetent to handle their own affairs, though, typically, such petitions are submitted by family members worried their elderly relatives can no longer care for themselves.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
-
But Marshall can’t do it alone and teams up with his former high school lab partner Frances Applewhite (voiced by Emily Pendergast), who works for a sinking pharmaceutical company as the assistant to incompetent CEO Rick Kruger (voiced by executive producer Mike Judge).—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
3 Feb. 2025
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.
Articles Related to bungling
Cite this Entry
“Bungling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungling. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share