bungling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbəŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bungling (audio)
Definition of bunglingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bungling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bungle
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

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 bungling
Adjective
The broadest of comedies, the film’s often puerile humor is driven by an endless stream of male bungling, blundering and whining, only to be kicked up a notch by pratfalls of nearly every variety, from getting bucked off a galloping horse to tripping into a pile of trash. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026 Bernthal, who plays Sonny, has his own wayward machismo and hapless sensitivity, the very qualities that made Al Pacino unforgettable in the role of the bungling bandit with a Catholic conscience. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 His friendship with Epstein was never a secret — though his bungling aides’ accidental reopening of it is one of history’s greatest political errors. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
The combustion of Graham Platner’s candidacy in Maine is another blow to a Democratic Party trying to mend its reputation after bungling the 2024 presidential election. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 9 July 2026 San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who polled at 5% in the CBS survey, accused Becerra of bungling the federal government’s response to COVID-19, mpox and the influx in child migrants under former President Joe Biden. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026 And Kash Patel's FBI seems to be bungling the investigation at every step. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026 Cricket was shot for yapping uncontrollably, bungling the mission, and killing innocent bystanders. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026 Walsh was joined by Sean Davis, Saagar Enjeti, and other conservative commentators who spent the day accusing the administration of bungling its messaging on the conflict. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026 Hollywood stars would do well to worry less about bungling the teleprompter and more about being true to their heart. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 The pair wasn’t done with its bungling yet. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026 At that point, the day had been characterized by sloppiness and frustration, with Bears pass catchers failing to secure at least a half-dozen catchable throws from their quarterback and, on three occasions, bungling fourth-down opportunities. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungling
  1. clumsy
  2. fumbling
  3. awkward
  4. blowing
  5. botched
  6. inept
  7. incompetent
  8. inexperienced
Adjective
  • Yirenki’s challenge on Christos Tzolis is clumsy, but well short of a first yellow card, let alone a second.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Vocals are surprisingly good, despite the show being a bit awkward and clumsy at times.
    — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of clumsy
Verb
  • The Packers’ offense left the field, but came back after it was ruled that Watson was down before fumbling.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Here was his senior running back, who scored a 44-yard touchdown in their state championship win months earlier, fumbling on the very first play of the Blue-White scrimmage.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of fumbling
Adjective
  • The Moon in Pisces moves through your 6th House of Work, Health, and Daily Routines while making an awkward angle to Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Most of us have felt awkward during those first tentative steps back into dating.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of awkward
Verb
  • Its exterior is rich with symbolism, from stone carvings representing the all-seeing eye of God to a golden statue, atop the highest spire, of an angel blowing a trumpet to herald the Second Coming.
    — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There is a micronation on a fortress at sea off the coast of Great Britain, and the British government once considered blowing it up.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of blowing
Adjective
  • Young agent Nina is recuperating in Corfu after a botched mission in the Balkans, but the idyllic landscape darkens when an agent is murdered.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Kirk, one of the slowest players in baseball, earned his only three-bagger on a botched fly ball in September 2024 at Tropicana Field.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of botched
Adjective
  • After the first-team offense exited, Miami looked inept on that side of the ball.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Don’t count on an inept politician to help bring your multibillion-dollar project to life.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of inept
Adjective
  • In a 2013 Denver case on similar charges, he was found incompetent to stand trial, and the case was dismissed.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • So the archetype of an uncharismatic leader is not necessarily someone unlikeable, introverted, socially incompetent or ineffective.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of incompetent
Adjective
  • Anna will also be strong on offense and young, inexperienced defense.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And Fins have a secondary so inexperienced the guys might need asbestos uniforms against the expected torching.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inexperienced

Browse Nearby Words

bunglesome
bungling
bungs
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Cite this Entry

“Bungling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungling. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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