as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
the first time we tried to make a cake, we botched the job completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jumble
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
this police procedural is basically a botch of plot elements stolen from other (and better) novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of botch
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Attorneys for Idaho’s death row inmates raised similar concerns in 2024, when the state planned to take a second try at executing Thomas Creech after the first attempt was botched.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
Those communication botches, whether on the break or in the half court, often include Towns, who once again vanished as a scorer.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for botch
Verb
Kelce can now say that botched first pitch was for his team.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Attorneys for Idaho’s death row inmates raised similar concerns in 2024, when the state planned to take a second try at executing Thomas Creech after the first attempt was botched.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Noun
The 10-member panel’s first time out, in 2022, was a total botch, as the process was unconstitutionally hijacked by Democrats in the Legislature until it was stopped by the state’s highest court.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
Those communication botches, whether on the break or in the half court, often include Towns, who once again vanished as a scorer.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for botch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for botch
Verb
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Given how badly Karen Bass has fumbled as mayor, Raman couldn’t do much worse.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Ethan Bonner forced Dulcich to fumble, and rookie linebacker Trey Moore recovered it for the defense.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
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Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Somewhere a hand was raised, a whistle was blown, and all at once the butchers were out of their stalls, assembling in the aisles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The Washington Nationals used Richard Lovelady, who blew Monday’s series opener, as an opener, followed by veteran Miles Mikolas for a bulk appearance, their most promising combination given their roster construction and arms available.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
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But as the uptake of telehealth has grown substantially since the start of the covid pandemic, McClain is one of millions of Americans who have used online companies to meet a variety of their medical needs.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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The rooms For a smaller resort, there's a surprising variety among the accommodations.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
Verb
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For now, the press still sometimes bungled his name as Harry.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
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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
Noun
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Moreover, Frye said customer expectations continue to evolve towards ease of wear and comfort — which the brand has addressed with more casual styling in the assortment, while maintaining its commitment to craftsmanship.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
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Sure, in the light of the showroom, the 20-horsepower T could claim a utilitarian charm, its spindly frame topped with an assortment of interchangeable bodies and seating configurations.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Our house, ruined by the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake, was rebuilt from the foundation up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Undefeated this season on clay, the 15th-seeded Ukrainian player reached the quarterfinals at the French Open for the first time on Sunday by taking out four-time champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 and ruining her birthday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The dish originated at Coconuts Fort Lauderdale, where it’s served with bread to sop up the savory butter medley that settles at the bottom of the bowl.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
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So why not really close the circle with an adrenalized medley of both to accompany Colbert’s departure?—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Botch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/botch. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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