bungle

[ buhng-guhl ]

verb (used with object)

, bun·gled, bun·gling.

1. to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch:

   He bungled the job.

   Synonyms: ruin, spoil, muddle, mismanage

verb (used without object)

, bun·gled, bun·gling.

1. to perform or work clumsily or inadequately:

   He is a fool who bungles consistently.

noun

1. a bungling performance.
2. that which has been done clumsily or inadequately.

bungle

/ ˈbʌŋɡəl /

verb

1. tr to spoil (an operation) through clumsiness, incompetence, etc; botch

noun

1. a clumsy or unsuccessful performance or piece of work; mistake; botch

Derived Forms

• ˈbungler, noun
• ˈbungling, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• bungler noun
• bungling·ly adverb
• un·bungling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bungle¹

First recorded in 1520–30; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bungle¹

C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare dialect Swedish bangla to work without results

Example Sentences

Tatum and Hill reunite in 22 Jump Street as Jenko and Schmidt, hapless cops who go undercover as students to bungle a drug ring.

From The Daily Beast

The Yankees have been paying for this $270 million bungle—enabled by some savvy advice from Goldman Sachs—ever since.

From The Daily Beast

Every Senator who voted for Obamacare is accused of being the 60th vote, but few managed to bungle the process as badly as Nelson.

From The Daily Beast

The Bergamots do have a beautiful life—a life they bungle out of fear, vanity, desperation, and love.

From The Daily Beast

It was watching the military bungle one such investigation that eventually caused Jacob to leave the service.

From The Daily Beast

I never knew him bungle over a rope or make a bad slip, and it was simply a pleasure to see him steer.

From Project Gutenberg

In practically all crimes attempted by scientists they bungle their jobs completely.

From Project Gutenberg

I am sure the snarling Beasts could never bungle Life as men do, darling, Who half know.

From Project Gutenberg

Not very seriously, I am afraid, lamented Nathalie, judging from the bungle I made in trying to learn that square knot.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm afraid I shall make a worse bungle of it than I did of the toast," he said, as he saw her folding her hands with delight.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• botch
• err
• flub
• fudge
• gum up
• miscalculate
• mishandle
• mismanage
• muff
• screw up