bungle
verb (used with object)
to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch.
had bungled
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past perfectof bungle.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nigel Inkster, a former director of operations at the British foreign-intelligence agency MI6, said he thought the British government had bungled the case rather than intentionally scuttled it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
The coach, Gary Franklin, had contended that Geragos and the now-disgraced and disbarred lawyer Michael Avenatti had bungled a potential $1.5-million settlement from Nike by pushing for a lucrative revenue stream for themselves.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2025
When NPR interviewed Rich Luze, who oversees nutrition for the Sioux City Community School District in Iowa, he worried the government had bungled the way it ended the pandemic’s free meal benefits.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2025
Some local politicians grew frustrated and worried that police had bungled the case.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 14, 2023
Llewellyn, for the Crown, had bungled it a bit.
From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie
