bungle

[ buhng-guhl ]

/ ˈbʌŋ gəl /

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See synonyms for: bungle / bungled / bungling / bungler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), bun·gled, bun·gling.

to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch: He bungled the job.

verb (used without object), bun·gled, bun·gling.

to perform or work clumsily or inadequately: He is a fool who bungles consistently.

noun

a bungling performance.

that which has been done clumsily or inadequately.

OTHER WORDS FOR bungle

1 mismanage, muddle, spoil, ruin; foul up.

See synonyms for bungle on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of bungle

First recorded in 1520–30; of uncertain origin

OTHER WORDS FROM bungle

bungler, nounbun·gling·ly, adverbun·bun·gling, adjective

Words nearby bungle

bungee, bungee cord, bungee jumping, bunger, bunghole, bungle, bunglesome, bungstarter, bungwall, Bunin, bunion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bungle in a sentence

Either way, it was a bungle to hope no one could prove the denial.
How New Revelations Complicate Kevin McCarthy’s Bid for House Speaker|Philip Elliott|April 22, 2022|TIme
Tatum and Hill reunite in 22 Jump Street as Jenko and Schmidt, hapless cops who go undercover as students to bungle a drug ring.
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill on ‘22 Jump Street,’ Penis Kissing, and Julie Andrews’s Boobs|Kevin Fallon|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Yankees have been paying for this $270 million bungle—enabled by some savvy advice from Goldman Sachs—ever since.
A-Rod the Scapegoat|Allen St. John|August 5, 2013|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.
Let's Put the Nebraska Senate Race in Proper Context|Justin Green|October 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The Bergamots do have a beautiful life—a life they bungle out of fear, vanity, desperation, and love.
The Perils of the Teen|Jill Bialosky|August 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It was watching the military bungle one such investigation that eventually caused Jacob to leave the service.
Gates, Rumsfeld Sued Over U.S. Military's Rape Epidemic|Jesse Ellison|February 15, 2011|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.
The Chequers|James Runciman
In practically all crimes attempted by scientists they bungle their jobs completely.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
I am sure the snarling Beasts could never bungle Life as men do, darling, Who half know.
Songs from Vagabondia|Bliss Carman and Richard Hovey
Not very seriously, I am afraid, lamented Nathalie, judging from the bungle I made in trying to learn that square knot.
Blue Robin, the Girl Pioneer|Rena I. Halsey
"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.
The Witness|Grace Livingston Hill Lutz

British Dictionary definitions for bungle

bungle

/ (ˈbʌŋɡəl) /

verb

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

noun

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

Derived forms of bungle

bungler, nounbungling, adjective, noun

Word Origin for bungle

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bungle

OTHER WORDS FOR bungle

Origin of bungle

OTHER WORDS FROM bungle

Words nearby bungle

Words related to bungle

How to use bungle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bungle

Derived forms of bungle

Word Origin for bungle