bumbling

[ buhm-bling ]

adjective

noun

the act or practice of making blunders: The bumbling of their officers cost them the battle.

Origin of bumbling

First recorded in 1525–35; bumble¹ + -ing²

Ever the bumbling archeologist, he falls down a shaft and discovers a mysterious door.
One Good Thing: The 1970s children’s book that envisions an America overrun by trash | Dina Gachman | November 16, 2021 | Vox
Many men feel insufficient as parents, with no help from mass media, which sometimes relies too heavily on tropes of either violent, absentee fathers or, inversely, useless, bumbling figures.
Discover the Science of Fatherhood | Sean Culligan | June 18, 2021 | Ozy
That bumbling win over the archrival Ravens included a season-ending injury to star linebacker Bud Dupree, which diminishes the Steelers’ dreams of the second undefeated season in NFL history.
Pittsburgh’s misshapen schedule has offered Washington a lucky break — and a chance | Thomas M. Boswell | December 3, 2020 | Washington Post
Of course, Hoover is an extreme example, but other one-term presidents have experienced a similar fate, earning reputations for being hapless and bumbling in the face of serious challenges.
What Makes A One-Term President? | Julia Azari | November 30, 2020 | FiveThirtyEight
The Wizards’ reboot needs to start with trading both John Wall and Bradley BealTo be clear, Antetokounmpo has good reasons to sign the supermax despite Milwaukee’s bumbling.
The Bucks bungled free agency. Now they wait for Giannis Antetokounmpo to decide. | Ben Golliver | November 23, 2020 | Washington Post

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