bungling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbəŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bungling (audio)
Definition of bunglingnext
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation) I refuse to let that bungling incompetent insult me again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bungling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bungle
as in fumbling
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way bungled the job the first time she tried to do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bungling
  1. clumsy
  2. awkward
  3. botched
  4. inept
  5. incompetent
Adjective
  • In a moment when Liston was hurling a clumsy punch and his balance was susceptible, Ali threw what looked like a swiping right graze at his opponent’s head.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Even observers who think the outlook for China’s economy is less dire agree that its growth is slowing and will be constrained by structural challenges and a clumsy policymaking process.
    Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Definition of clumsy
Adjective
  • Though the two might have an awkward run-in in the Love Island All-Stars Villa.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Ribas’ hands and movement were much crisper than that of Dern, whose movement was awkward and punches were slower and wilder than those of her foe.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Definition of awkward
Adjective
  • In the days since Yoon’s botched martial law attempt, extraordinary details have emerged of just how many senior figures, both within the political establishment and the military, were caught completely off-guard.
    Helen Regan, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
  • The Titans ended up with just three penalties for 15 yards and one turnover, on a botched pitch attempt from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph to Julius Chestnut.
    Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
Definition of botched
Adjective
  • Others took the opportunity to post Musk’s legendarily inept Elden Ring build, which boasted no less than two shields, but no healing flask (somehow, his character had managed to reach level 111).
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Pittsburgh was inept offensively for much of the night.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2025
Definition of inept
Adjective
  • Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.
    Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of incompetent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near bungling

bunglesome

bungling

bungs

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Cite this Entry

“Bungling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bungling. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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