as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
I've somehow buggered up the program again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugger (up)
Verb
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Stash everything in your carry-on instead of fumbling at the checkpoint.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
WIRED,
18 Mar. 2025 -
In hindsight the idea seems clear, but in the moment, there was a lot of fumbling around.—
Jayson Stewart,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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At night, after the final whistle was blown, thousands of jubilant fans poured into the streets, heading toward the city’s bars to continue the debauchery, sometimes till dawn.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
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After Wednesday’s defeat, the Heat has now blown a double-digit lead in an NBA-high 19 losses this season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This brings back the Bilas comment from long ago on fouling up two.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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In between those foul shots, the Jayhawks intentionally fouled up three.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The tournament selection committee clearly screwed up by putting underqualified North Carolina in March Madness.—
Sean Gregory,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
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Your sister could have screwed up your business for the next few years.—
Lydia Patrick,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
23 Mar. 2025
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Institutions of higher learning, schools, churches, museums ruined.—
Askold Haywas,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bugger (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugger%20%28up%29. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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